Because of Trump’s threats, America complains to the United Nations

The Panamanian government has filed a complaint with the United Nations regarding US President Donald Trump’s threat to seize the Panama Canal.
It also ordered an audit into the work of a Hong Kong-linked company that operates two ports on the vital waterway.

Threat of use of force

In a letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the Panamanian government referred to an article of the UN Charter that prohibits any member from “the threat or use of force” against the territorial integrity or political independence of another state.
The letter urged the Secretary-General to refer the issue to the UN Security Council, without requesting a meeting.
In his inauguration speech on Monday, Trump repeated his accusations that China controls the Panama Canal through its increased presence around the waterway, which the United States handed over to the Panamanian state at the end of 1999.

Trump said: “We did not hand it over to China, we handed it over to Panama, and we will get it back.” When asked on Wednesday about the controversy, Beijing confirmed that it “never interfered” in the canal.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said, “China has always respected Panama’s sovereignty over the canal and recognized it as a permanent, neutral international waterway.”
The Panamanian Comptroller’s Office subsequently announced a comprehensive audit of the Panama Ports Company with the aim of “ensuring the effective and transparent use of public resources.”
Panama Ports Company is part of Hutchison Ports, which in turn is affiliated with the CK Hutchison Holding Group in Hong Kong. It operates the ports of Balboa and Cristobal on both sides of the canal.

The goal is to determine whether the company is complying with its franchise agreements, including reporting income, payments and contributions to the state, the comptroller’s office said.

The canal is owned by Panama

Panamanian President José Raul Molino denied any other country interfering in the canal, which he said operates on the principle of neutrality.
Molyneux said in response to Trump’s threats: “The canal is owned by Panama and will remain so.”
For weeks, Republicans have increased their pressure on the canal, through which 40% of American container traffic passes, refusing to rule out the use of military force to restore it.
The Panama Ports Company’s concession was extended for 25 years in 2021, and the United States is the main user of the canal, followed by China.
Since 2000, the Panama Canal has generated more than $30 billion for the state treasury, including about $2.5 billion during the last fiscal year.