Panama’s Foreign Ministry on Trump’s encroachment: Our channel will be controlled only by Panamanian hands
Panama does not intend to discuss the moorings of the Panama Canal with the United States.
Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha said this to Telemetro, Censor.NET reports citing RBC-Ukraine.
He denied Panama's contacts with Trump or his team. The minister also emphasized that when Trump takes office, relations between the United States and Panama will be regulated through normal and appropriate official channels.
Martinez-Acha reiterated the position of Panamanian President Raul Mulino that the sovereignty of the Panama Canal is not subject to discussion.
"The sovereignty of our canal is not negotiable. The only hands that control the canal are Panamanian hands, and that will always be the case," the foreign minister said.
He added that the mission of the Panama Canal is "to serve humanity and world trade, and this is one of the great values that Panamanians offer to the world, giving the international community a guarantee not to participate or be actively involved in any conflict."
Earlier, Trump said he would not rule out the use of force to control Greenland and the Panama Canal.
It was also reported that against the backdrop of US President-elect Donald Trump's statements about his desire to "control and own" Greenland, the Danish government announced a significant increase in defense spending on the island.
Donald Trump also commented on the resignation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and suggested that Canada should be included in the United States.
