US Secretary of State Plans to Travel to Panama Amid Trump's Claims of Panama Canal Control

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US Secretary of State Plans to Travel to Panama Amid Trump's Claims of Panama Canal Control

New US Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to visit Panama next week, Bloomberg reports, citing sources. The visit comes amid recent statements by President Donald Trump about his intention to return control of the Panama Canal to US jurisdiction.

In his inaugural address on January 20, 2025, President Trump called for the Panama Canal to be returned to U.S. control, arguing that American ships were overpaying to use it and that China was managing the canal. He emphasized that handing the canal over to Panama was a mistake and promised to correct the situation.

In response to these statements, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino categorically rejected the possibility of returning the canal to US control, stating that Panama's sovereignty is not subject to discussion. He emphasized that the Panama Canal is and will remain the property of Panama and any attempt to revise this status is contrary to international law.

Panama also sent an official letter to the United Nations expressing concern over Trump’s statements. The letter emphasizes that threats to use force against the territorial integrity of any country are contrary to the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. Panama’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Eloy Alfaro de Alba, called on the international community to pay attention to this situation and support Panama’s sovereignty.

The Panama Canal, completed in 1914 under U.S. supervision, was transferred to full control of Panama on December 31, 1999, under treaties signed in 1977 between U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos. The canal has remained under Panamanian control since then, generating significant revenues and playing a key role in world trade.

Marco Rubio's visit to Panama is expected to ease tensions and discuss next steps in bilateral relations, analysts say. The talks are expected to cover economic cooperation, security and the management of the Panama Canal. However, officials in both Washington and Panama have so far refrained from commenting in detail on the upcoming meeting.

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