Panama’s President Criticizes Trump Over Panama Canal Remarks

Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino released a defiant video on Sunday, vowing that his country would never relinquish control over the U.S.-built Panama Canal. His fiery statement came in response to President-elect Donald Trump’s assertion that the United States could reclaim the canal if Panama continued policies that harm U.S. businesses and national security interests.

Speaking at an event on Saturday, Trump criticized Panama for “ripping off” U.S. companies and the U.S. Navy with excessive fees and bureaucratic delays. “If Panama doesn’t get its act together, we will take back the canal,” Trump declared, reigniting debates over the controversial 1977 agreement that handed control of the canal to Panama under President Jimmy Carter’s administration.

Mulino wasted no time issuing a heated rebuttal. In a video statement, he emphasized Panama’s sovereignty and its firm hold over the canal:

• “Every square meter of the Panama Canal belongs to PANAMA,” Mulino insisted.

• Calling the canal an “irreversible conquest,” he described its economic significance, claiming it generates billions annually for Panama’s economy.

Mulino argued that the toll rates imposed on vessels using the canal are fair, stating they are set through open processes that consider global market conditions and operating costs.

Despite Mulino’s strong rhetoric, Panama’s lack of a military underscores the stark reality: should the U.S. act on Trump’s threat, Panama would face overwhelming force.

While expressing a desire for a “good and respectful relationship” with the United States, Mulino suggested focusing on shared priorities like illegal migration, drug trafficking, and organized crime. However, Trump’s remarks indicate that the U.S. may prioritize protecting its economic and strategic interests in the region over diplomacy.

The Panama Canal, completed by the U.S. in 1914, remains a vital artery for global trade and U.S. national security. Its transfer to Panama in 1999 under Carter’s treaty remains a sore point for many Americans, who view it as a relinquishment of a critical strategic asset.

As Trump prepares to assume office, his comments signal a willingness to revisit past decisions and ensure that American interests take precedence. Whether Panama’s defiance will hold remains to be seen, but the tension underscores Trump’s commitment to putting America first on the global stage.

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