Panama President Mulino dismisses negotiations on Canal control

On January 30, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino rejected any discussions on Panama Canal control ahead of his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who will visit Panama this weekend on his first official overseas trip.

Mulino’s comments came in response to US President Donald Trump’s recent claims that the Panama Canal is under Chinese influence, an assertion the Panamanian government vehemently denies, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Trump had threatened to take control of the canal, alleging Chinese military presence, although he did not provide evidence to support his claims.

"I cannot negotiate, and certainly will not open any negotiation process concerning the canal," Mulino stated during a weekly press conference. "That issue is settled. The canal belongs to Panama."

The Panama Canal, an 82-kilometre artificial waterway linking the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, is a vital artery for global trade. It is managed by the Panama Canal Authority, an autonomous agency supervised by the Panamanian government. Although the United States constructed the canal in the early 20th century, control was handed over to Panama in 1999 following a series of treaties that ensured its neutrality.

Trump has argued that the treaty has been breached and that Panama is being exploited by China, though no verifiable evidence has been presented. He also claimed that the US is being unfairly charged for transit through the canal.

"I have received no information from the US embassy in Panama or from Secretary of State Rubio, who we collaborate with on migration issues, regarding the alleged military presence of another nation in the canal," Mulino added.

He reaffirmed that "the Panama Canal is under Panama's control, and its administration has always been in Panamanian hands."

The Panamanian President indicated that other important matters, such as migration and drug trafficking, would be the focus of discussions with Rubio, rather than the canal's status.

By Aghakazim Guliyev