US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a stern warning to the Panamanian President, José Raúl Mulino, on Sunday. He warned the latter to take immediate action to reduce Chinese influence in the Panama Canal region. The warning marks growing tensions over the strategic control and neutrality of the waterway.
Rubio visited the canal and met with Mulino, discussing issues of concern to the U.S. administration. He said President Donald Trump believes China’s participation could be in breach of the treaty that guarantees the neutrality of the canal. The said agreement did occur in 1999 wherein the American-built canal was transferred to the country, but under a condition that it has to be permanently neutral.
After the meeting, Mulino reassured the media that no direct threats were issued in terms of U.S. military intervention or control of the canal. But the State Department summary of the meeting was candid enough to indicate that Washington views the situation as unacceptable. In case corrective measures are not taken, the U.S. will take action to protect its interests.
It resulted in protests across Panama City and was followed by protesters voicing their opposition against U.S. interference. Others burned banners showing the images of Trump and Rubio while shouting slogans in defense of national sovereignty as riot police turned them away from the presidential palace.
Mulino said Panama would not extend its involvement in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, a program criticized for saddling developing countries with debt. Canal administrator Ricaurte Vásquez again insisted that Panama would control the waterway.
Rubio’s tour also emphasized immigration issues, something which the U.S. administration has been prioritizing. Rubio acknowledged Panama’s efforts toward managing migration and border security, in light of recent freezes on all U.S. foreign aid.
His diplomatic tour will continue from El Salvador through Costa Rica and Guatemala to the Dominican Republic since tensions over both trade and security remain high.
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