The US Secretary of State met with President José Raúl Mulino. “Panama’s sovereignty is not in question,” said the Central American head of state.
During a meeting on Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanded "immediate changes" from Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino to counter alleged Chinese influence in the Panama Canal, according to a statement issued by the State Department after the meeting between the two authorities.
"Secretary Rubio made clear that this status quo is unacceptable and that, absent immediate changes, the United States would have to take whatever steps were necessary to protect its rights under the Treaty," the statement said.
During the meeting, held at the presidential palace of Las Garzas, the head of US diplomacy informed Mulino that the president of the United States, Donald Trump, has "made the preliminary determination that the current influence and control of the Chinese Communist Party over the Panama Canal area is a threat."
According to the United States, this alleged Chinese influence "represents a violation of the Treaty Relating to Permanent Neutrality and the Operation of the Panama Canal."
No doubts about sovereignty
The meeting took place amid Trump's threat to "regain" US control of the Panama Canal because of the growing Chinese influence on the waterway, something Panamanian authorities deny. In a solo press conference, Mulino revealed that the meeting was "highly respectful" and maintained that "Panama's sovereignty is not in question."
"There is no doubt that the canal is operated by our country and will continue to be so," said the president, who does not see a "real threat" that the United States could use military force to take control of the infrastructure. Mulino said that the "meeting was highly respectful and cordial" and believed that it opened "a path for the construction of a new stage in the relationship" between the two countries.
The president also proposed that technical teams clarify doubts about the alleged Chinese presence in the Panama Canal.
According to the State Department's statement, immigration management was also discussed and Rubio thanked Mulino for "his support" in the program of deportation flights for migrants from Panama to their countries of origin, which is financed by Washington. "The Secretary also praised President Mulino's regional leadership in support of a free and democratic Venezuela," the note details.
