Headline:
Former Ministers from Latin America Back Panama‘s Stance on Canal, Rebuff Trump
Article:
Ten former foreign ministers from Latin America have thrown their weight behind Panama’s position on the Panama Canal, rebuffing recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump. The ex-ministers, in a statement released on Sunday, endorsed Panama’s government and people in their stance that the canal’s sovereignty and independence are non-negotiable.
The statement, published amid a firestorm sparked by Trump’s late-December threats to seize control of the canal if the U.S. was not granted lower transit fees, underscores the historical significance of Panama’s 1999 assumption of full control over the critical waterway. The transfer, the ministers noted, was the culmination of a decades-long struggle by Panama’s people, backed by broad international solidarity.
The ministers’ intervention comes on the heels of Trump’s comments that hinted at reclaiming the canal, an assertion that sent shockwaves through Latin America and drew swift rebukes from Panama’s government and regional allies. Trump’s remarks also reignited long-standing debates about the canal’s role in global trade and its rightful governance.
Opposition to Trump’s comments has since gathered steam, with prominent figures highlighting Panama’s right to administer its own strategic assets. The former foreign ministers’ statement adds to this chorus, pointing to the Canal’s importance not just to Panama, but as a vital global trade route.
In recent years, Panama has invested heavily in expanding and modernizing the canal, further cementing its role as a key player in international trade. With this backdrop, Trump’s comments have been seen by many as an attempt to undermine Panama’s sovereignty and assert U.S. influence.
By lending their voices to Panama’s cause, the ex-ministers have served as a reminder of the canal’s significance, and the potential consequences of meddling with its administration. As the international community watches the situation unfold, one thing is clear: Panama’s sovereignty over the canal remains a deeply resonant and contentious issue.
