Panama President Mulino stands up to Donald Trump

Panama President Jose Raul Mulino has responded to remarks by Donald Trump, in which Trump accused Panama of charging excessively high fees for the use of the canal and suggested that he might demand the canal be returned to the U.S. if it is not managed properly.

President Mulino stated, "My fellow citizens, as president, I want to state clearly that the Panama Canal and all areas associated with it, every square meter, belong to Panama. The sovereignty and independence of our country are not up for negotiation. The Panama Canal belongs to Panama and will remain so."

Emphasizing that the canal is operated within a framework of clear rules, Mulino noted that maintenance and management processes are conducted safely, sustainably, and professionally.

"Tariffs are not set arbitrarily," Mulino said. "These fees are determined transparently, taking into account market conditions, international competition, operating costs, and the canal's maintenance and modernization needs."

Mulino underscored that the Panama Canal is not controlled, directly or indirectly, by China, the European Union, the U.S., or any other power.

Stressing that Panama respects all nations, Mulino continued:

"Panama respects other nations and demands that the same respect be shown to us. As a Panamanian, I strongly reject any rhetoric that misrepresents this reality. The canal is an inalienable heritage of our nation. As stated in the Constitution and the Neutrality Treaty, it is guaranteed that the canal will remain in the hands of Panamanians while ensuring peaceful and uninterrupted passage for the ships of all nations," he assessed.

"THIS ISSUE CAN NEVER BE A SUBJECT OF NEGOTIATION"

Expressing a desire to build good relations with the Trump administration, Mulino said, "We have priority issues such as illegal migration, drug trafficking, and organized crime. We are a country always open to dialogue. However, the homeland comes first, and this issue can never be a subject of negotiation."

The Panama Canal, built by the U.S. in 1914, was transferred to Panama on December 31, 1999, under the Torrijos-Carter Treaties signed in Washington on September 7, 1977, by then-Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos and U.S. President Jimmy Carter.