Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino has publicly condemned former U.S. President Donald Trump for spreading false claims about efforts to reclaim the Panama Canal, calling it a blatant lie and an insult to Panama’s sovereignty.
Trump’s remarks, made during his latest address to Congress, suggested that the United States was in the process of “taking back the canal” with the help of the investment firm BlackRock. However, Mulino swiftly refuted these statements, stating that no such negotiations had ever taken place.
“Once again, President Trump is lying. The Panama Canal is not in the process of being restored, and this is certainly not the task that was even discussed in our conversations with Secretary Rubio or anyone else,” Mulino wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The Panamanian leader made it clear that the canal remains under the exclusive control of Panama and will continue to do so.
“I reject, on behalf of Panama and all Panamanians, this new affront to the truth and to our dignity as a nation. Cooperation between our governments requires clear understandings on issues of mutual interest, as has been done,” he continued.
Mulino emphasized that any discussions between the two nations have been about cooperation, not the so-called “recovery” of the canal.
“It has nothing to do with the ‘recovery of the Canal’ or with tarnishing our national sovereignty. The Canal is Panamanian and will continue to be Panamanian!” he declared.
Trump’s comments on the Panama Canal are reminiscent of his past neo-imperialist aspirations, including his failed attempt to acquire Greenland. These remarks have further fueled international criticism, portraying him as a leader willing to distort facts for political gain.
Trump’s statements have not only been met with backlash from Panama but have also sparked concerns among diplomatic circles regarding the potential strain on U.S.-Panama relations. Analysts argue that such rhetoric undermines trust and cooperation between the two nations.
As the world watches, one thing remains clear: Panama has no intention of relinquishing control of its prized waterway. The Panama Canal belongs to Panama, just as Greenland belongs to Greenland, and the international community is standing firm against Trump’s delusions of grandeur.
