Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Panama where he put the Latin American nation’s president on notice about the current status of the Panama Canal amid growing concerns over Chinese control of the vital commerce transit waterway.
The nation’s top diplomat sat down with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino and Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha at a weekend meeting during which he said that there would have to be “immediate changes” and that the status quo is “unacceptable” in frank remarks, according to a summary released by the U.S. State Department.
I met with Panamanian President @JoseRaulMulino and Foreign Minister @javierachapma to make clear that the United States cannot, and will not, allow the Chinese Communist Party to continue with its effective and growing control over the Panama Canal area. We also discussed… pic.twitter.com/Hj0pXGahqk
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) February 2, 2025
Rubio told the two that “President Trump has made a preliminary determination that the current position of influence and control of the Chinese Communist Party over the Panama Canal area is a threat to the canal and represents a violation of the Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal.”
“Secretary Rubio made clear that this status quo is unacceptable and that absent immediate changes, it would require the United States to take measures necessary to protect its rights under the Treaty,” the summary stated.
The Panama Canal is vital to America’s national and economic security interests.
We must remain vigilant in protecting this vital asset from the Chinese Communist Party. pic.twitter.com/t06JBNzb66
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) February 3, 2025
“China is running the Panama Canal that was not given to China, that was given to Panama foolishly, but they violated the agreement, and we’re going to take it back, or something very powerful is going to happen,” President Trump told reporters on Sunday.
The results were immediate with Mulino pledging that his country would not renew a 2017 memorandum of understanding to participate in China’s Belt and Road global development initiative.
The President of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, vows NOT to renew the 2017 Chinese contracts on the Panama Canal that are part of the CCP’s Belt and Road Initiative. The contracts come up in one or two years, but could be even sooner.
A good strart!!
pic.twitter.com/rYuRlsLUl2— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) February 2, 2025
“I think this visit opens the door to build new relations … and try to increase as much as possible U.S. investments in Panama,” President Mulino told the media after meeting with Rubio, the former GOP senator’s first international trip since being confirmed as Trump’s Secretary of State.
During his trip, Rubio also met with the staff at the U.S. Embassy in Panama.
Had the pleasure of meeting the incredible @USEmbPAN team during my first embassy meet and greet in my new role as Secretary of State! Thankful for their dedication and ongoing efforts to promoting President Trump’s vision of an America First foreign policy. pic.twitter.com/j4tPBDCDoF
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) February 2, 2025
“Had the pleasure of meeting the incredible @USEmbPAN team during my first embassy meet and greet in my new role as Secretary of State!” The secretary wrote in a post on X. “Thankful for their dedication and ongoing efforts to promoting President Trump’s vision of an America First foreign policy.”
“Secretary Rubio expressed his gratitude for the productive discussion and underscored the United States’ dedication to making both nations safer, stronger, and more prosperous. He noted this meeting marks an important step in reinvigorating the strategic relationship between the United States and Panama, in line with President Trump’s vision,” the State Department summary read.
- Reporter plays race card to claim scalp of top DOGE employee - February 7, 2025
- Trump to cut USAID to the bone in mass firing at Dem money laundering conduit: report - February 7, 2025
- Susan Collins unhappy Musk is bringing corrupt gravy train to screeching halt, Speaker Johnson is here for it - February 6, 2025
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.