CostaRubio: China's influence over Panama Canal unacceptable
SDA
2.2.2025 - 22:02
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to employees and families during a meeting at the US Embassy in Panama. Photo: Mark Schiefelbein/POOL AP/AP/dpa
Keystone
In view of China's influence in the Panama Canal, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is calling on Panama to change course immediately. "Secretary of State Rubio has made it clear that the current situation is unacceptable and that without an immediate change of course, the United States must take action to protect its rights," said US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce after a meeting between Rubio and the country's president, José Raúl Mulino. Chinese influence violates the neutrality obligations arising from the canal treaties between the USA and Panama. The USA had recently criticized what it sees as China's excessive influence on the waterway.
Keystone-SDA
02.02.2025, 22:02
SDA
The meeting was primarily about the control of the ports on both sides of the important waterway - and not sovereignty over the canal, said Mulino. The situation of the ports would be reviewed. He did not rule out a future involvement of US companies there.
Mulino described the meeting as positive. There is no doubt that the waterway is operated by Panama and will remain so, he said. "I don't think there were any disagreements in this regard". A bilateral technical expert group would be set up to analyze the US concerns in more detail, particularly with regard to the "Chinese ports". Rubio was due to visit one of the canal's locks later.
Hong Kong company operates container terminals
The Hong Kong company Hutchison Ports PPC has been operating large container terminals on both sides of the canal since 1997. The company is not owned by the Chinese state, but by a wealthy Hong Kong family. However, there are fears that the government in Beijing could also expand its influence over ports and shipping routes via private Chinese companies.
Protests in Panama against US claims to the canal
During the talks at the seat of government, dozens of demonstrators protested on the streets of Panama City with Panamanian flags against the US government's claims to the Panama Canal. "This homeland is not for sale", read the banners, as seen on television.
US President Donald Trump had recently made claims to the Panama Canal and said bluntly on several occasions that control of the important waterway should lie with the USA. He did not rule out military action. "I don't have the impression that there is a real threat at the moment," Mulino said after the talks with Rubio.
The 82-kilometre-long canal connects the Atlantic with the Pacific in Central America. The waterway was built by the USA at the beginning of the 20th century. On December 31, 1999, the USA handed over administration of the canal to Panama.
Panama tightened its migration policy under Mulino
According to Mulino, the topic of migration was also discussed with Rubio. Panama is considered a strategic player in Central America when it comes to curbing migration. Mulino recently tightened border controls. After his visit to Panama, Rubio will travel on to Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic. The topic of migration will also play a central role there in view of the mass deportations announced by Trump.