Status quo is unacceptable - Rubio issues ultimatum on Panama Canal
Marco Rubio (photo: Getty Images)
On Sunday, February 2, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to Panama and met with President José Raúl Mulino. During the meeting, a representative of the Trump administration issued an ultimatum on the Panama Canal, the US State Department informs.
In addition to the president, Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha also attended the meeting in Panama City to discuss critical regional and global issues. During the conversation, Rubio told the two that US President Donald Trump had made a preliminary decision that the current situation of the Chinese Communist Party's influence and control over the Panama Canal area poses a threat to both the canal itself and a violation of the Permanent Neutrality and Operation Treaty.
The US Secretary of State has also made it clear that this status quo is unacceptable. In the absence of immediate changes, the United States will take the measures necessary to protect its rights under the Treaty.
In addition, Rubio emphasized the importance of joint efforts to end the illegal migration crisis in the hemisphere and thanked Mulino for his support of the joint repatriation program, which has reduced illegal migration through the Darien corridor.
"Secretary Rubio expressed his gratitude for the productive discussion and underscored the United States’ dedication to making both nations safer, stronger, and more prosperous. He noted this meeting marks an important step in reinvigorating the strategic relationship between the United States and Panama, in line with President Trump’s vision," the US State Department website added.
A few days before the meeting, Panamanian President Mulino stated that there would be no negotiations with the United States over the ownership of the Panama Canal. On Thursday, he expressed hope that seeing Rubio would allow them to focus on issues based on common interests.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that the United States has various options to reduce Chinese influence in Panama, including counteracting the growing presence of Chinese companies in the country. They will be presented to the US Senate Committee on Tuesday.
