The United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, met with the President of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, to discuss the alleged Chinese influence in the Panama Canal. During the meeting, Rubio demanded immediate changes to counter this influence and warned that if they did not occur, the United States would take measures to protect its rights under the Treaty.
In the statement issued by the Department of State, it was mentioned that Rubio finds the current "statu quo" unacceptable and that Donald Trump has determined that the influence of the Chinese Communist Party in the Panama Canal represents a threat and a violation of the Permanent Neutrality Treaty.
President Mulino assured in a press conference that the meeting was respectful and that Panama's sovereignty is not in question. He emphasized that the operation of the Canal is the responsibility of the country and dismissed any real threat of military intervention by the United States to take control of the infrastructure.
Mulino expressed that a path has been opened to strengthen the relationship between both countries and that he hopes that the Panama Canal Authority can provide the relevant explanations to the Trump Administration regarding the ports operated by a Chinese company, once a current audit is completed.
In addition to the Canal issue, the meeting also addressed migration management, and Rubio thanked Mulino for his support of the deportation flight program for migrants funded by Washington. Mulino's leadership in promoting a free and democratic Venezuela in the region was also highlighted, according to the statement from the Department of State.
