Panama's government announced Tuesday that it has sent a formal letter to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressing “concerns” over President Donald Trump's comments calling for the United States to take back control of the Panama Canal.
The Panamanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued the following copy: letter Signed by Eloy Alfaro de Alba, Permanent Representative to the United Nations. In the letter, the diplomat said that all member states must “refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State.” Article was mentioned. or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations. ”
The diplomat also asked Guterres to forward a copy of the statement issued by President José Raúl Mulino on Monday to members of the United Nations Security Council.
Mr. Mulino expressed Although he said in early January that he would wait for President Trump to take office before responding, he issued a formal statement Monday afternoon, shortly after President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance were sworn in.
In a statement, Mulino rejected in a “comprehensive manner” Trump's comments about the Panama Canal during his inauguration. speech. President Trump said Monday that the United States “foolishly” ceded the Panama Canal, claiming that “first and foremost, China runs the Panama Canal.” And we didn't give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we'll take it back. ”
“I reiterate what I expressed in my message to the people of December 22 last year: The canal is and will always belong to Panama, and its management will remain under Panama's control, respecting its eternal neutrality.” Mulino's statement said. “There is no nation in the world that would interfere with the administration of our country.''
Mr. Mulino continued his statement by saying that the Panama Canal was “not a concession from anyone,” but that it was the result of a “generational struggle that culminated in 1999” with the Canal. torrijos carter Treaty. Since then, Murino said, Panama has managed and expanded the canal “responsibly to serve the world and its commerce, including the United States.”
“We recognize the legal basis of the Treaty, the right to protect us, the dignity that distinguishes us, and the strength that gives international law as the appropriate way to govern relations between States, especially among allies and friends. As history and our actions against the United States have proven, we will continue to do so.” Mulino's statement added.
“Dialogue is always the way to clarify the aforementioned points without compromising our rights, full sovereignty and ownership of the canal,” the President concluded.
While attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Mulino was asked if he was concerned that the United States would invade Panama and seize the canal. reportedly “Seriously, seriously,” he replied.
Muino has repeatedly insisted that neither China nor any other country has any influence on the Panama Canal, but the Panamanian government launched The audit process, which took place on Monday, was carried out against Hutchison Ports Ltd., a Hong Kong-based company that operates ports at both ends of the trade route as part of a company now known as Panama Ports Company. I was disappointed. Argentine news agency Infobay said on Tuesday that the Hutchison port is “considered an example” of China's presence on the trade route.
According to Panama's Audit General, the audit I ask for To ensure “efficient and transparent use of public resources”. The company first obtained operating rights in the Panama Canal in 1997, reportedly renewed in 2021.
During his confirmation hearing in Congress last week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed President Trump's concerns about possible Chinese influence on the critical interoceanic trade route, calling it a serious threat to U.S. national security. He said there is.
Infographic titled “U.S. President Donald Trump's First Executive Orders and Statements” (Omar Zaghloul/Anadolu, Getty Images)
“I have to respect that an argument could be made that the conditions under which the canal was handed over have been violated, because formally the sovereignty of the canal has not been handed over to a foreign power. Because they don't. In fact, foreign powers own it through their own companies,” Rubio said. said
“if [China] “If we order businesses to close or block traffic, they will be forced to do so,” he added.
President Trump initiated ongoing discussions over the Panama Canal in December. At the time, President Trump accused Panama of charging “exorbitant” and “rip-off” transit fees on U.S. ships and said Chinese soldiers “lovingly but illegally” operate the Panama Canal. he claimed.
mulino fired President Trump's initial claims were “nonsense” and he denied that U.S. ships were being “ripped off” by canal transit fees. Panama's president also denied the presence of Chinese troops along trade routes.
“There is no Chinese interference or participation in anything related to the Panama Canal. There are no soldiers from that country in the canal,” Mulino said at the time. “There are no Chinese in the canal, it's that simple. Not China or any other power.”
“People from all over the world are free to visit the canal. If we find Chinese soldiers in the canal, I will personally endorse President-elect Donald Trump's statement on that matter,” he added.
Christian K. Caruso is a Venezuelan writer who chronicles life under socialism. You can follow him on Twitter here.
