Panama will not give canal…Panama stood up against Trump’s bullying, reached UN with America’s complaint

Last updated:January 22, 2025, 5:50 pm IST

Amid US President Donald Trump’s threats to take over the Panama Canal, Panama has turned to the United Nations. Panama cites the UN Charter, which does not guarantee a country’s territorial integrity or political independence.read more

Panama City: US President Donald Trump had repeated the threat of capturing the Panama Canal as soon as he took oath. Trump currently has the most powerful army in the world. If he is threatening then it is possible that America may try to capture this strategic canal by sending troops. Fearing Trump’s threats, Panama has now turned to the United Nations. A letter has been written on behalf of Panama to United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres. In this letter, Panama has cited that article of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use or threat of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any country. Describing Trump’s threats as ‘worrying’, Panama said that this should be discussed in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). However, the letter does not demand calling a UNSC meeting.

In a related development, Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino rejected Trump’s claim that the US had gifted the canal to Panama. Mulino said at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, ‘We completely reject everything Trump has said. Firstly, this is a lie and secondly, the Panama Canal belongs to Panama and will always remain Panama’s. The Panama Canal was not a gift or concession to America.

Trump threatens to withdraw Panama Canal

In line with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rehabilitationist agenda, Trump has made threats of invasion and occupation of Western countries in recent weeks. He has called for the capture of Greenland, the use of force to capture the Panama Canal and the occupation of Canada. In his inaugural address, Trump referred to the occupation of Panama, saying ‘we’re taking it back’. He said American ships are charged more to transit the canal than other ships and falsely claimed that the canal is run by China, not Panama.

Trump said, ‘We have been treated very badly by this stupid gift that should never have been given. And Panama’s promise to us has been broken. The purpose of our agreement and the spirit of our treaty have been completely violated. American ships are being charged exorbitant fees and are not being treated fairly in any way, and that includes the US Navy. The biggest thing in this is that China is running the Panama Canal and we did not give it to China, we gave it to Panama, and we are taking it back.

What did Panama say on Trump’s statement?

Panamanian President Mulino reacted immediately. Shortly after Trump’s speech, he issued a statement rejecting Trump’s calls for annexation and saying that the canal ‘belongs to Panama and will always belong to Panama and its administration will remain under the control of Panama, with respect for its permanent neutrality. ‘.

According to the report of news agency AFP, Panama has rejected Trump’s comments and has turned to the UN. It has announced ‘a comprehensive audit’ into the Panama Ports Company, which manages the canal, with the aim of ‘ensuring the efficient and transparent use of public resources’.

Although China does not manage the canal, a Chinese company manages two ports on the canal and the audit will determine whether the company is following its concession agreements, including adequate reporting of income, payments and contributions to the country. Is.