Panama’s President, Jose Raul Mulino, has accused former U.S. President Donald Trump of lying about “reclaiming” the Panama Canal. In a statement on X, Mulino asserted that the canal remains under Panama’s full control and is not being taken over by the U.S. government.
During his annual address to Congress, Trump claimed that Washington had begun reclaiming the canal to bolster national security. His remarks followed a $23 billion deal in which a U.S.-led consortium, headed by BlackRock Inc., acquired a controlling stake in a Chinese-owned company operating ports at both ends of the canal.
Mulino strongly rejected Trump’s statements, calling them an insult to Panama’s sovereignty. Panama maintains that the private port sale does not equate to U.S. control over the canal, dismissing Trump’s long-standing rhetoric that the U.S. should never have relinquished it.
The Panama Canal, which facilitates 5% of global maritime trade, was transferred to Panama in 1999 under a treaty signed by President Jimmy Carter. Trump has repeatedly criticized the handover, claiming the U.S. was overcharged for using the canal and suggesting military action to regain control.
While U.S. officials have accused China of influencing the canal’s operations, Panama and Beijing have denied any such claims. The controversial port sale now awaits approval from Panama’s government.
