The President of Panama responds to Trump’s threats to control the canal

Panama President Jose Raul Molino rejected threats from US President-elect Donald Trump to regain control of this corridor between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Molyneux said in a video clip on the X platform: “The canal is not controlled by China, the European Community, the United States, or any other power, neither directly nor indirectly. As a Panamanian, I strongly reject any expression that distorts this fact.”

Trump’s threats to restore the Panama Canal

The announcement by the President of Panama comes after a threat made by Trump on Saturday on his private social media network, Truth Social.
He said, “The management of the canal belongs to Panama alone, not to China or to any other party. We have never and will never let it fall into the wrong hands!”
He stressed that if Panama is unable to guarantee the “safe, efficient and reliable operation” of this water route, “we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us in its entirety and without discussion.”
The Panamanian president responded by demanding “respect” for his country, stressing that “every square meter of the Panama Canal and the areas adjacent to it is the property of Panama, and will remain its property.” He added, “Our country’s sovereignty and independence are non-negotiable.”

Panama Canal

Despite Trump’s statements, Molyneux hoped to have a “good and respectful relationship” with the new US administration, to address issues such as illegal immigration and drug smuggling.

US President-elect Donald Trump said that his new administration could try to regain control of the Panama Canal, which the United States “foolishly” ceded to its Central American ally, Panama.
He pointed out that “ridiculous” fees are being imposed on shipping companies to pass through the vital canal that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Panama Canal

At a previous Trump rally, he said regarding the Panama Canal: “We are being robbed in the Panama Canal,” and the United States had ceded control of the waterway to Panama in 1999.
This concession came under a treaty signed in 1977 during the era of President Jimmy Carter.