Published December 28,2024
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Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino firmly refuted US President-elect Donald Trump‘s assertion that Chinese troopers are controlling the Panama Canal, calling the declare “nonsense.”
“There are no Chinese soldiers in the canal. You are free, the whole world is free to visit the canal if you please,” Mulino stated at a news convention Thursday.
“What [Trump] has said on this issue is nonsense; it does not exist,” he added.
The controversy started Christmas Day when Trump posted on Truth Social, sarcastically wishing a merry Christmas to “the wonderful soldiers of China, who are lovingly, but illegally, operating the Panama Canal.”
He accused Panama of “ripping off” the US and recommended the US was being compelled to spend “billions of dollars in ‘repair’ money” with no say in regards to the canal’s operations.
The Panamanian chief underscored the canal’s sovereignty and dismissed Trump’s threats to take management of the waterway.
“The sovereignty and independence of our country are not negotiable,” Mulino declared, reaffirming Panama’s possession and administration of the canal.
-TRUMP’S FOREIGN POLICY CRITICISMS
Trump, who additionally floated the thought of US possession of Greenland in a separate publish final weekend, has been vocal about what he views as unfair practices by international nations.
In latest months, he has criticized Canada and Mexico for commerce and border insurance policies and mocked Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, suggesting Canada may change into the 51st US state.
Mulino reiterated that the Panama Canal stays absolutely underneath Panamanian management and that China performs no operational position.
“There are no Chinese on the canal. As simple as that. Neither the Chinese nor any other power are in the channel,” he stated, including that any Chinese presence within the space would doubtless be restricted to vacationers or passengers aboard cruise ships.
The Panama Canal, an important commerce route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, is operated completely by Panama.
While a Hong Kong-based agency manages two ports close to the canal’s entrances, Mulino emphasised that it doesn’t equate to Chinese affect over its operations.
“I reiterate, there is absolutely no Chinese interference or participation in anything that has to do with the Panama Canal,” Mulino stated.
Source: www.anews.com.tr