After President Trump noted there are issues with the Panama Canal management, costs and fees being paid by American transit companies for goods that flow through the canal, the President of Panama José Raúl Mulino hit back strongly.
President Mulino is a conservative nationalist who won election seven months ago. Mulino did not like the implications of President Trump contemplating a renegotiation of the Panama Canal Treaty, with ownership and management given by the USA to Panama in 1999. Mulino hit back releasing a video statement [SEE HERE] with the transcript of his remarks below:
“As President, I want to express clearly that every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent area belongs to Panama, and will continue to do so. The sovereignty and independence of our country are not negotiable.
Every Panamanian, here or anywhere in the world, carries it in their heart, and it is part of our history of struggle and an irreversible conquest.
The Torrijos-Carter Treaties of 1977 agreed to the dissolution of the former Canal Zone, recognizing Panamanian sovereignty and the complete transfer of the Canal to Panama, which ended on December 31, 1999. And we will soon celebrate the 25th anniversary of this transfer. Since then, there have been no objections or claims; on the contrary, it has been a source of strong international support and national pride. It was operated and expanded by Panamanian decision and today represents a great asset that contributes billions of dollars to our economy.
These treaties also established the permanent neutrality of the Canal, guaranteeing its open and safe operation for all nations, a treaty that has obtained the adherence of more than 40 States.
Any contrary position has no validity or support on the face of the earth. Our Canal has the mission of serving humanity and its commerce. That is one of the great values that we Panamanians offer to the world, giving the international community a guarantee of not taking part, nor being an active part, in any conflict.
Since it has been in Panamanian hands, the Canal has grown. It is managed by qualified professionals who, with clear rules, are responsible for its operation, conservation and maintenance, ensuring its safe, continuous, efficient and profitable operation.
Rates are not a whim. They are established publicly and in an open hearing, taking into account market conditions, international competition, operating costs, and the maintenance and modernization needs of the interoceanic route. This is how we achieved the expansion of the Canal in 2016, which today represents greater economic and commercial growth, generating more wealth and opportunities throughout the world and its trade.
The Canal is not under direct or indirect control, neither by China, nor by the European Community, nor by the United States, nor by any other power.
As a Panamanian, I strongly reject any manifestation that distorts this reality. And it will continue to be in Panamanian hands as an inalienable heritage of our Nation, guaranteeing its use for the peaceful and uninterrupted transit of ships from all nations, as established by our Constitution and the Neutrality Treaty. This is the greatest tribute that the martyrs of January 9, 1964 deserve, who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for the sovereignty and dignity of our country, and all Panamanians who participated in an unprecedented generational struggle.
Panama respects other nations and demands respect.
With the new U.S. government, I hope to preserve and maintain a good and respectful relationship. Security issues such as illegal migration, drug trafficking and organized crime must be a priority on our bilateral agenda, as they are a real threat that should concern us greatly.
We Panamanians may think differently on many issues, but when it comes to our Canal and our sovereignty, we all unite under a single flag, that of Panama.
We are a country open to dialogue, today and always, to investments and good relations, but with the clear motto that the country comes first.
That, for this Panamanian President, is not negotiable.”
[SOURCE]
In response to President José Raúl Mulino, President Donald Trump released the following message from his Truth Social account.
It would appear there is going to be some further discussion of these issues between President Trump and President Mulino.
I suspect there is going to be a bilateral trade agreement opened and renegotiated between the USA and Panama. Perhaps tariffs on Panama goods flowing into the U.S. along with central American financial mechanisms, travel restrictions and potential other aspects coming into play.
In the end of that complicated dynamic, expect to see USA flagged carriers with negotiated special transit costs.
After all, “Economic Security is National Security.”
President Trump: “I am pleased to announce Mauricio Claver-Carone as the State Department’s Special Envoy for Latin America. Mauricio has served in many important roles, including the White House, as my Senior Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs. Over the last four years, chaos and anarchy have engulfed our Borders. It is time to restore order in our own hemisphere. Mauricio knows the region, and how to put America’s interests FIRST. He also knows the dire threats we face from illegal mass migration and fentanyl. As the State Department’s Special Envoy, Mauricio will work tirelessly to protect the American People.” (SOURCE)
Gotta wonder if a bombshell document dump on the one dollar deal is about to happen showing it was not a deal but a bribery, blackmail, or money laundering scheme and actually a non-existent deal that did not erase original treaty?
It was a Kissinger deal.
That alone should sink it.
I think this goofball needs to understand that Panama would still be largely uninhabitable jungle and the canal would not exist had it not been for the United State.
As somebody once said “You didn’t build that.”
The 1977 treaty says Panama grants the U.S. the authority to, “Establish, modify, collect and retain tolls for the use of the Panama Canal, and other charges, and establish and modify methods of their assessment…”
Article HI. CANAL OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT 2(d) https://treaties.un.org/doc/Publication/UNTS/Volume%201280/volume-1280-I-21086-English.pdf
That means we should be setting the prices and collecting the cash on every ship that passes through the canal.
Frankly, I have been pushing for decades for us to add Canada and Mexico to our country. Both need loads of help and both have resources that we need. Why not just go one step farther and add the whole of Central America. Peacefully, of course. Except for Mexico. That will need to be taken by force thanks to the cartels.
No Thank You WW
OK, what’s going on?
Trump has rattled the cages of Canada, Mexico, Greenland and now Panama.
There must be some method behind all this seeming madness (figure of speech!).
Speculation:
He needs to stop the killing in Ukraine and Palestine.
These conflicts are part of broader geopolitical tensions.
Trump needs to make a Grand Bargain for the upcoming century.
My theory is that the US cannot come to favourable equitable terms with RoW (Rest of the World) without settling the Jewish Question in the Middle East, the thorn in the shoe there being that Israel wants its own State with contiguous borders and no more bantustanned hostile population in its midst so they are now overtly working to get them pushed out. They are burning people alive in the tents they have been shunted into after their houses in Gaza have already been flattened into blood-stained rubble.
He has to get the Middle East to accept Palestinians in their countries and a whole Israel in the midst of their region.
With Ukraine, he has to grant the Russian demand that Ukraine – what’s left – does NOT join NATO. Even better would be to reduce NATO back to 1992 levels. Even better would be to be genuine friends with Russia. This cannot happen, though, unless and until the Jews are happy in the Middle East with Israel whole and even a little Greater.
If the Jews are happy then the dominant influence of neocons in DC, London, Paris and Berlin will diminish or can be diminished in which case the various nations can undertake long overdue internal reforms. Along with such reforms, the West will retreat from Empire building to Civilization building. And the Civilization they will build will be centered in the Americas, from Alaska to Buenos Aires. Western Europe will be its own zone and will swing both to the Americas and to Eurasia in terms of trade and culture.
This is why Trump is now rattling the cages around the Americas. He is preparing to make a Grand Bargain which involves the Chinese getting out of building factories, dams etc. in the Americas and letting them all become part of a new Civilization and in return America will get out of China Seas, out of Ukraine, out of the Middle East and each zone can flourish according to its own culture and destiny.
At least that’s my little fantasy about why he’s making moves around Greenland, Canada, Mexico and Panama during this holiday season before the upcoming Inauguration on Jan 20th.
(Another recent story is that he is crafting a G2 with US and China to determine the World Order. If so, that fits in with the above speculation.)
Someone needs to tell the president of Panama that Trump can make it rain longer than he can tread water!