Panama’s president fires back at Trump: Canal ‘belongs to Panama’

On December 23, 2024By Littum

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino fired back Sunday after President Trump proposed returning the Panama Canal to US control.

“As president, I will express clearly that every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent zone belongs to Panama, and will continue to do so,” Mulino said in video statementaccording to an English translation. “Our country’s sovereignty and independence are non-negotiable.”

“The channel is not under direct or indirect control, neither by China, nor by the European community, nor by the United States, nor by any other power,” Mulino said. “As a Pananian, I strongly reject any manifestation that distorts this reality.”

“Panama respects other nations and demands respect,” he added.

Trump suggested to a conference of his supporters on Sunday that the Panama Canal remain under US control, promising swift action on the matter after he takes office in less than a month.

“It was given to Panama and to the people of Panama, but it has supplies. You have to treat us fairly, and they haven’t treated us fairly,” Trump said at Turning Point’s “American Fest.”

“If the principles, both moral and legal, of this generous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States in its entirety, quickly and without question,” Trump added.

When an audience chanted, “take it back,” Trump replied, “That’s a good idea.”

Trump also accused the Central American country of charging excessive fees to ships using the canal to cross between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

Panama charges tariffs for boats and ships to use the canal. Fees can vary based on the size and purpose of the vessels, ranging from $0.50 to $300,000. The US handed over control of the canal to Panama in 1999.

“Has anyone ever heard of the Panama Canal?” Trump told the crowd at “America Fest.” “Because we’re getting ripped off at the Panama Canal, just like we’re getting ripped off everywhere else.”

“The fees that Panama is charging are ridiculous, very unfair,” Trump said.

In the video statement, Mulino pushed back on Trump’s attack on the fees, noting that the Panama Canal has grown since Panama has overseen its management and that the rates were reasonable.

“Prices are not a whim,” Mulino said. “They are established publicly and in an open consultation taking into account market conditions, international competition, operating costs and the maintenance and modernization needs of the interoceanic route.”

“This is how we achieved the expansion of the canal in 2016, which today represents greater economic and commercial growth, generating more wealth and opportunities throughout the world and its trade,” he added.

Mulino said he hopes to maintain a strong relationship with the incoming Trump administration and noted several issues he hopes to collaborate on.

“With the new US administration, I hope to maintain and maintain a good and respectful relationship. Security issues such as illegal migration, drug trafficking and organized crime must be a priority on our bilateral agenda, as they are a real threat that should concern us greatly,” he said.

He said that the interests of his own country will always come first.

“We Panamanians may think differently on many issues, but when it comes to our canal and our sovereignty, we are all united under a single flag, Panama’s,” he said. “We are a country that is open to dialogue, today and always, to investment and good relations, but with the clear motto that the country comes first.”

“It is not negotiable for this Panamanian president.”

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