Panama announced its intention to guarantee the free passage of US warships through the shipping channel, and also announced a plan to withdraw from China’s One Belt, One Road initiative. About this informs Bloomberg.
This decision was made after the visit of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Panama, who criticized the country’s government for cooperation with China. In a conversation with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino, Rubio echoed the Donald Trump administration’s concerns about China’s growing influence in the strategically important waterway.
The US State Department warned that in the absence of immediate measures on the part of Panama, the United States reserves the right to act to protect its interests in the region.
Mulino emphasized that the country does not plan to relinquish control over the channel, but is ready to make certain concessions. Already on Sunday evening, the Panama Canal Administration announced the “optimization of the priority of transit” of American warships, and one of the American officials confirmed that Mulino personally assured Rubio of the unhindered passage of military vessels.
One of the key decisions of the Panamanian government was the announcement of withdrawal from China’s Belt and Road initiative, which made Panama the first Latin American country to make such a decision. Mulino also said that until 2026, when the agreement expires, his government will continue to evaluate the feasibility of finally withdrawing from it.
US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz expressed support for the move, calling it “a step in the right direction”, although he noted that it does not fully address concerns about China’s growing influence in the region.
During a press conference after the meeting with Rubio, the Panamanian president called the negotiations “respectful and constructive” and assured that he does not see a real threat to the existing treaty on the management of the canal, much less the possibility of military intervention by the United States.
