“The current position of influence and control of the Chinese Communist Party over the Panama Canal area is a threat to the canal and represents a violation of the Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal,” reads a State Department readout of Rubio’s meeting with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino and Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha.
Mulin said to reporters after the meeting, that the meeting “respectful and cordial."
“I don’t sense any real threat against the treaty or its validity, and much less of the use of military force to take over the canal,” he said in Spanish. “I don’t sense that.”
In a previously statement to X, President Mulino posted, saying, translated to English, "In the name of the Republic of Panama and its people, I categorically reject the words outlined by President Donald Trump regarding Panama and its Canal in his inaugural speech."
During his inaugural address, Trump told Americans, "We have been treated very badly from this foolish gift that should have never been made, and Panama's promise to us has been broken. The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated. American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form, and that includes the United States Navy, and above all, China is operating the Panama Canal. And we didn't give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we're taking it back."
The Panamanian government had previously claimed that China is not in control of the canal with Mulino saying, "China does not control or administer the canal. When it comes to our canal, and our sovereignty, we will all unite under our Panamanian flag,” per Newsweek.
