The Panama regional government has maintained that its sovereignty over the Panama Canal is “non-negotiable” after US President-elect Donald Trump refused to rule out using military force to seize the region.
Trump had made the statement during a news conference on Tuesday. It was at this conference that he also falsely claimed that the Panama Canal was being run by Chinese soldiers.
In reaction to Trump’s remark, Panama’s Foreign Minister, Javier Martínez-Acha responded by saying that “the only hands operating the canal are Panamanian and that is how it is going to stay”.
The Panama Canal has for decades, been managed by the US government but under a treaty signed by the late US President Jimmy Carter in 1977, it was handed over to the Panamanians on 31 December 1999.
Recently, however, during his news conference at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, Trump described President Carter’s decision to hand the canal back as “a big mistake”.
He also expressed fresh interest in buying the Arctic island of Greenland- which is a self-governing territory of Denmark – as well as the Panama Canal.
When prompted by journalists on whether he would rule out using military or economic force to acquire Greenland and the Panama Canal, he said: “No, I can’t assure you on either of those two.”
At the time of filing this report, Panama’s president, José Raúl Mulino, has yet to react directly to Trump’s latest remarks but during a a colourful ceremony to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the handover of the canal to Panama held on 31st December, he told attendees to “rest assured, it will stay in our control forever”.
President Mulino has in the past constantly been exasperated by Trump’s claims that the canal is under some sort of Chinese influence, saying “there are no Chinese soldiers in the canal, for the love of God”.
His government also stressed that “until 20 January, the US government is led by Joe Biden. From 20 January we will deal with Mr Trump and his government”.
“Panama is keen to co-operate and maintain excellent relations with the different governments.”
