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The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has reiterated his intention to "recover the Panama Canal", warning that if he does not do so, "something very big is going to happen."
His statements coincided with the official visit to Panama by Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.
Trump has once again accused Panama of "violating the treaties", referring to the Torrijos-Carter Agreements signed on September 7, 1977, between then-Panamanian President Omar Torrijos and his U.S. counterpart, Jimmy Carter.
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These agreements established the gradual transfer of control over the canal and its adjacent areas from the United States to Panama, ending nearly a century of American administration over the interoceanic route.
Additionally, the leader has insisted that "China is managing the Canal, which was never given to the Chinese, but foolishly handed over to the Panamanians", a claim that has been categorically refuted by Panama.
The Panamanian president, José Raúl Mulino, reiterated this Sunday that the sovereignty of the country "is not in question", and asserted that he does not perceive any "real threat" of military intervention from the U.S.
On its part, the Panama Canal Authority has informed Rubio that it will work with the U.S. Navy to "optimize the priority in the transit of its vessels" through the interoceanic route.
This commitment represents the first tangible outcome of the Secretary of State's visit, during which he expressed his dissatisfaction with the current situation and demanded "immediate changes" in the management of the Canal.
"Secretary Rubio made it clear that this 'statu quo' is unacceptable and that, in the absence of immediate changes, the United States would have to take the necessary measures to protect its rights under the Treaty," states a release from the State Department.
Mulino, for its part, has clarified that it is up to the Canal Authority to address the concerns of the Trump administration regarding the alleged Chinese influence in the region.
Regarding the two ports of the Canal operated by a Chinese company, the Panamanian president informed Rubio that an audit of their operations is currently underway and requested to wait for the results before making any decisions.
It is still unclear whether Trump's threat to reclaim the Canal is driven by his dissatisfaction with the results of Rubio's trip.
However, his statements have heightened tensions in a relationship historically marked by the dispute over the sovereignty of the interoceanic route.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Diplomatic Crisis between the United States and Panama over the Panama Canal
Why does Donald Trump threaten to take back the Panama Canal?
Donald Trump threatens to reclaim the Panama Canal due to his disagreement with the current fees for ship transit, which he deems "absurd" and "an absolute scam." Additionally, Trump expresses concern about China's influence over the route and questions Panama's ability to ensure safe operations of the canal.
What influence does China have on the Panama Canal according to Trump?
Donald Trump has expressed concern about China's influence in the Panama Canal and suggests that this factor could compromise the security and control of the interoceanic route. However, no specific details were provided on how this influence manifests.
What has been Panama's response to Trump's statements about the Canal?
The President of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, responded firmly, stating that the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to do so. Mulino defended his country's sovereignty and independence, emphasizing that the Panamanian administration has ensured an efficient and profitable operation of the canal.
How has the United States reacted to China's management of the Panama Canal?
The United States, through Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has expressed its commitment to curb the growing Chinese influence in the Panama Canal. During his visit to Panama, Rubio called for immediate changes in the management of the canal to counteract the Chinese presence in the region.
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