Panama President denies Trump’s threat to take Panama Canal under U.S. control.

23 Dec, Monday US: Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino shot back at Trump on Sunday after his suggestion to return the Panama Canal to U.S. control.

Panama was built in 1914 by the United States and was returned to the Central American country by then-President Jimmy Carter under a deal. Panama took its full control in 1999.

In a video posted on X, he said,” As president, I want to express clearly that every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent zone belongs to Panama, and will continue to do so.” He added, “The sovereignty and independence of our country are not negotiable.” and “The canal 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 in Spanish. “As a Panamanian, I strongly reject any manifestation that distorts this reality,” “Panama respects other nations and demands respect,” he further added. to which the president replied on Truth Social saying “We’ll see about that” with blaring confidence. These statements came after President-elect Donald Trump complained about the Canal’s “unfair” treatment of American ships.

Trump said in a conference at The Real Voice on America, that the Panama Canal be returned to U.S. control promising swift action over it as he will take office in less than a month. He said, “Our Navy and Commerce have been treated in a very unfair and injudicious way. The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous,” Panama made almost $ 5 billion in revenue last year out of which roughly 80% of the Panama Canal’s revenue. 

Trump also shed some light on the increasing influence of China around the canal. He said, “It was solely for Panama to manage, not China, or anyone else.”

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

Mulino in his video mentioned, “We Panamanians may think differently on many issues, but when it comes to our canal and our sovereignty, we all unite under a single flag, that of Panama,” he said. “We are a country open to dialogue, today and always, to investments and good relations, but with the clear motto that the country comes first.”

“That, for this Panamanian president, is not negotiable.”

Trump said. “We would and will NEVER let it fall into the wrong hands!”