In a speech Monday shortly after taking office, Donald Trump repeated his announcement that he would “take back” the Panama Canal, calling it a “stupid gift” to Panama. He accused the country of violating the terms of its agreement with the United States.
– The purpose of our agreement and the spirit of the treaty are completely violated (…). First of all, China controls the Panama Canal, and we didn’t give it to China, we gave it to Panama, and we’re going to take it back, the American guidance cited by CNN. said the person.
Will the Panama Canal belong to the US? “We must reject President Trump’s words.”
Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino responded to these announcements in a statement online. “On behalf of the Republic of Panama and its people, I must completely reject the words that President Donald Trump said in his inaugural address regarding Panama and its Canal (…). The Canal is owned by Panama. ” and will remain the property of Panama,” he stressed.
See: Donald Trump’s first decision. “I will sign a series of decrees.”
As he said, contrary to President Trump’s claims, the transfer of the canal was not a “concession” on anyone’s part, but the result of a generational struggle that resulted in the Torrijos-Carter Treaty in 1999. Since then, the canal has been under continuous Panamanian control. “We are developing responsibly to contribute to global trade, including world and US trade,” he stressed.
He called on President Trump to communicate on this issue through diplomatic channels. “Dialogue is always a way to clarify the above issues without compromising the rights, full sovereignty and ownership of our channels,” he said.
Panama defends ownership of the canal. he is referring to international law
José Raúl Mulino believes that his country “uses the laws that protect us, the legal basis of treaties, the dignity that distinguishes us, and the strength that international law gives us, primarily as an ideal method of managing relationships. ” he declared. between allies and friends. He stressed that “no other country in the world” has any influence over the management of the canal.
See also: French Prime Minister fears President Trump’s announcement. “The EU may collapse”
The Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, is approximately 80km long. The United States completed construction on the canal in 1914 and signed an agreement with Panama in 1977, giving Panama full authority over the canal at the end of the 20th century.
Last fiscal year, the Panamanian government agency that manages the canal reported record revenues of $4.986 billion, even though drought limited production capacity.
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