Mexico's president backs Panama amid Trump’s comments

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has voiced her strong support for Panama following recent comments made by US President-elect Donald Trump regarding the Panama Canal.

Trump stated that the US could seek to regain control of the canal if the current terms of its use are not renegotiated, Caliber.Az reports citing Russian media.

In a press conference, Sheinbaum echoed the stance taken by Panamanian authorities, affirming that the Panama Canal "belongs to the Panamanians."

She emphasized her solidarity with Panama President Jose Raul Mulino and the people of Panama, in light of Trump's remarks.

Panama President Mulino had firmly rejected any suggestion of renegotiating the terms of the canal’s operation, asserting that the canal’s sovereignty and Panama’s independence are non-negotiable.

Sheinbaum 's statement reflects Mexico's diplomatic support for Panama, underlining the importance of respecting the sovereignty of nations over key strategic assets like the Panama Canal.

Donald Trump has threatened to regain control of the Panama Canal, accusing Panama of charging excessive fees for the use of the vital trade route and expressing concerns about potential Chinese influence over the canal.

The remarks from the president-elect have sparked a backlash from Panama's leader, who defended the canal's sovereignty. Speaking to a crowd in Arizona, Trump stated that he would not allow the canal, which has been under Panamanian control for decades, to fall into the "wrong hands."

The Panama Canal is a critical waterway for global trade, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and allowing ships to bypass the lengthy and hazardous route around the southern tip of South America.

Originally opened in 1914, the canal and surrounding territory were controlled by the United States until an agreement with Panama in 1977. This agreement eventually led to the full transfer of control to Panama in 1999.

By Vafa Guliyeva