US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had interviews in Panama with its president, José Raúl Mulino, while demonstrators have opposed the request for ownership of Donald Trump of the Panama Canal to be returned to the United States .
The best diplomat in the United States told Mulino in talks that the American president determined that the influence of China threatens the Panama canal and that immediate changes were necessary or that the United States would act.
Since Trump began to speak of “resuming” the Panama Canal more than a month ago, Panamani officials turned to Rubio to understand the nature of the president’s threats and the possible concessions they can make to Firm relations with the United States.
In a summary of the meeting published by the United States Department of State, Rubio told Mulino that Trump thought that the current channel’s situation was “unacceptable and that in the absence of immediate changes, it would force the United States to Take necessary measures to protect your rights ”under an American treaty with Panama.
Meanwhile, Mulino stressed that sovereignty on the canal is not to be discussed, but it has offered the repatriation aid of certain migrants to the United States through the country of South America If the United States has paid for this. Mulino suggested a possible expansion of an existing agreement with the United States from last July which could open the way to direct deportations of non-Panamanian migrants who cross the Jungle of Darien Gap on the southern border of Panama with Colombia .
Mulino noted that an extended agreement could potentially allow the expulsion of migrants from Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador. “We have talked a lot about the problem of migration, with the understanding that Panama is a transit point,” said Mulino after his meeting.
Rubio is on tour in Central America and the Caribbean during his first foray into the position as he seeks to refocus American diplomacy on the Western hemisphere – in part to recruit aid to stem migration to the southern border American.
Even before the election of Trump, Mulino had signed agreements with the United States aimed at controlling the irregular migration via the Darién difference by increased surveillance and the introduction of deportation flights. During the first three weeks of January, migration by the gap dropped by 94% compared to the same period in 2023.
One day after Trump announced that he imposed prices in Canada and Mexico, causing reprisals from these countries, Rubio may have adopted a less conflictual and more diplomatic approach. He was cordially photographed the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Panama, although neither he nor Mulino spoke publicly during their meeting. Rubio should also visit an energy installation and the channel during its visit.
About 200 people walked in the city of Panama, transporting Panamanian flags and shouting “Marco Rubio du Panama”, “Long -term national sovereignty” and “a territory, a flag” while the meeting took place. Some burned a banner with images from Trump and Rubio after being arrested below the presidential palace by riot police.
“To the imperial messenger,” said the head of the Union Saul Mendez about Rubio, “we reiterate that there is absolutely nothing here for Trump. Panama is a free and sovereign nation.”
Upon his return to Office Trump, Trump threatened to take control of the Panama Canal, built by the United States at the beginning of the 20th century and handed over to Panama under a 1977 treaty, saying that the canal is operated by China. The comments were followed by a public backlash and Panama reprimanded Trump’s threats.
China said that it did not play any role in the exploitation of the canal and that it respects the sovereignty and independence of Panama on the navigable track. The canal is operated by Panama Canal Authority, an autonomous agency supervised by the Panamanian government.
Following the threats of Trump, Mulino ordered the Panama controller general to audit key ports at each end of the channel. Rubio, a longtime Chinese hawk in his career in the Senate, said last week that China could use ports to close the canal, a vital path for American delivery, in the event of a conflict between Beijing and Washington.
Last week, an audience of the Senate trade committee accused Panama of mismanagement of the canal. In recent years, drought has reduced the number of transits and auction for limited stains has brought up to $ 4 million. A solid Panamanian commitment to solve this problem – the most likely solution is a Rio Indio dam, an environmental and socially complex project – could appease the concerns of Rubio.
However, the American administration of the canal or a significant reduction in its costs – which constitute an important part of the national budget – would be unacceptable to the Panamanian government and its people. Mulino said that the canal property was not on the table in the talks with Rubio.
Speaking to journalists on Friday, Trump said that the audit concession was not sufficient and that Panama had “completely violated” understanding of understanding from the moment the United States made the channel.
“They have already offered to do a lot,” said Trump about Panama, “but we think it is appropriate that we take it back.”