Kevin Cabrera, President Donald Trump's next appointment as Panama ambassador, said Tuesday during his confirmation. Hearing In Parliament, China's influence in Panama is spreading beyond canal ports.
Cabrera I explained it China is affecting Panama's higher education system, and the parliament Confucius Institute An agreement signed by China with all five local universities. The Confucius Institute is an academic organization fully administered by the Chinese government, which spreads communist ideology and propaganda to teachers and students at international universities.
The first such Confucius Institute in Panama was launched in June 2018 during the administration of former Panama President Juan Carlos Barrera – a year after the Central American nation cut It was linked to Taiwan and at the same time accepted the “Wancina Principles” of the Chinese Communist Party. This states that there is only one China in the world and Taiwan is China's “state.”
Additionally, Cabrera details China's inscription in an agreement with the Panama provincial Radio and Television System (SERTV), pointing out that the state-run media system “will definitely not criticise China.”
“But again, I don't think China's influence is just not just in canals. It's also in other regions. I know there's a memorandum of understanding from all five public universities in Panama and the Confucius Centre,” Cabrera said. I said. “And they also have a connection with local government-owned television, SERTV, where they provide information that is not critical on many occasions. It definitely doesn't criticize China.
Cabrera told Congress that if confirmed as ambassador, he will continue to work with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, President Donald Trump and members of the House Foreign Relations Committee, providing opportunities for American investment in Central America, whilst reducing Panama's China's influence.
Additionally, Cabrera has raised concerns about the use of Chinese technology used in Panama's infrastructure and listed the implementation of Chinese-made security cameras in the city of Colon, the Atlantic city where the Atlantic entrance to the Panama Canal is located. company. Cabrella emphasized that the use of Chinese cameras and equipment could undermine cybersecurity and access to confidential information.
“We have seen ways that state-owned Chinese companies can significantly lower the prices of bids, ensuring that the government purchases their technology. I said. “This raises questions about who can control information and manipulate these infrastructures.”
President Trump began ongoing debate over the Panama Canal in December after saying the US should regain control of the canal due to the “exorbitant” transport fees charged on US ships and China's growing influence on important trade routes.
The US-built control of the Panama Canal was handed over to Panama in 1999, subject to the terms of a contract signed by the two countries during the administration of former US President Jimmy Carter in 1977.
Over the past few months, President Murino, officials from the Panama Canal Bureau, and other Panama government officials have repeatedly Rebuttal President Trump's claims denied China's influence on the canal. Murino also has I insisted His administration will not be involved in consultations with the United States related to control of the Panama Canal.
Cabrera emphasized to Congress that both President Trump and Secretary Rubio had identified possible violations of Article IV of the 1977 Panama Canal Neutrality Treaty, signed by former Presidents Jimmy Carter and Omar Torijos. situation The United States and Panama agree to maintain a regime of neutrality in the Panama Canal and remain “permanently neutral.”
Cabrera has identified Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings Limited's sale to BlackRock, a subsidiary that currently operates two ports on the Panama Canal. Bloomberg It has been reported “It's going on as planned” despite CK Hutchison Holdings Limited selling two Panama Canal ports to BlackRock on Wednesday morning despite “anger” over China's deal.
Christian K. Calzo is a Venezuelan writer and documents life under socialism. You can follow him on Twitter here.
