Headline: Unity in Panama: Ex-Presidents Join Current Leader to Reaffirm Canal Sovereignty Amid Trump’s Comments
In an unprecedented show of unity, three former presidents of Panama have joined forces with the current leader, José Raúl Mulino, to issue a joint statement reaffirming the country’s sovereignty over the Panama Canal. The announcement comes in response to recent remarks by U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, who suggested the possibility of the waterway reverting to U.S. control.
The statement, signed by Mulino and former presidents Ernesto Pérez Balladares, Martín Torrijos, and Mireya Moscoso, underscores Panama’s commitment to maintaining its independence and sovereign management of the canal, a symbol of national identity. It also emphasizes the importance of unity in the face of external threats.
The canal, which was built by the U.S. and inaugurated in 1914, was transferred to Panamanian hands in 1999. It is widely regarded as a testament to Panama’s progress and a crucial component of global trade.
Trump’s comments on Saturday, during which he threatened to retake control of the canal if toll fees for U.S. ships were not reduced, sparked outrage in Panama. He also accused China of having control over the canal’s operations, a claim denied by Panama’s government.
The statement released by the former and current presidents serves as a clear message to the international community: Panama is ready to defend its strategic asset, come what may. Even those who did not sign the declaration, such as asylum seeker Ricardo Martinelli and Laurentino Cortizo, expressed their disapproval of Trump’s threats on social media.
The Panama Canal, which stretches 80 kilometers, facilitates around 5% of global maritime trade. Its principal users are the U.S., China, Japan, South Korea, and Chile.
- quiere seguir las reglas, y amenazan con tomarlo.
