Dozens of protesters gathered outside the presidential palace in Panama City as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with President Jose Raul Mulino. The demonstrators were there to voice their opposition to President Trump’s demand that the United States regain control of the Panama Canal.
Tensions Rise Over Canal Ownership
The Panama Canal has been a contentious issue between Panama and the United States for decades. The canal was built by the US between 1904 and 1914, and the US maintained control and administration of the waterway until it was officially handed over to Panama in 1999.
Since then, Panama has operated and managed the canal, which is a crucial global trade route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The transfer of control was seen by many Panamanians as a symbol of their country’s sovereignty and independence from US influence.
However, President Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to reassert American control over the strategic asset. In recent months, he has pressured the Panamanian government to cede control of the canal back to the US, citing national security concerns and the need to protect American economic interests.
Panamanian Resistance to US Demands
The protesters gathered outside the presidential palace were determined to send a clear message to the US government. Many carried signs and banners declaring „Hands off our Canal!“ and „Panama will not be bullied!“ They chanted slogans denouncing the US attempts to interfere in their country’s internal affairs.
„We will not be intimidated by the United States,“ said Maria Gomez, a local activist. „The Panama Canal is a source of national pride and a symbol of our hard-won independence. We will not allow Trump or any other American president to take it away from us.“
Others highlighted the economic importance of the canal to Panama’s economy. „The canal generates billions in revenue for our country every year,“ said Carlos Diaz, a business leader. „It’s the backbone of our economy, and we’re not going to hand it over to the Americans just because Trump demands it.“
Rubio Meets with Mulino
Inside the presidential palace, the mood was tense as Secretary Rubio met with President Mulino. Rubio pressed the Panamanian leader to consider the US proposal to regain control of the canal, emphasizing the strategic and economic significance of the waterway to American interests.
However, Mulino remained steadfast in his opposition to the US demands. „The Panama Canal is a source of national pride and sovereignty for our people,“ he told Rubio. „We will not relinquish control of this vital asset, regardless of the pressure from the United States.“
Mulino pointed to the successful management of the canal by Panamanian authorities, highlighting the recent expansion project that has allowed the waterway to accommodate larger ships and handle increased traffic. He argued that Panama has proven its ability to effectively operate and maintain the canal, and that there is no justification for the US to reassert control.
Diplomatic Standoff
The meeting between Rubio and Mulino ended without a resolution, leaving the two countries at an impasse. The US Secretary of State reiterated his government’s position, while the Panamanian president remained firm in his rejection of the American demands.
As the protesters continued to demonstrate outside, the diplomatic tension between the US and Panama showed no signs of easing. Both sides appeared unwilling to compromise, setting the stage for a potential escalation of the conflict over the Panama Canal.
Analysts warned that the standoff could have far-reaching consequences, potentially straining the broader diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries. They urged both governments to seek a negotiated solution that respects Panama’s sovereignty and the interests of all stakeholders in the strategic waterway.
The future of the Panama Canal remained uncertain, as the battle over its control continued to unfold on the global stage.