Panama’s correspondent of the State Department
ReutersSecretary of State Marco Rubio demanded Panama to “change immediately” in what China’s “influence and control” in the Panama Canal is called.
The US diplomat stated that Panama had to act, or that the United States would take necessary measures to protect the rights under the treaty between the two countries.
The warning pledged to capture the canal, following a meeting with Rubio and Panama’s conservative president, Jose Raul Mulino.
The two men seemed to have appeared from a two -hour meeting in different interpretations.
Mulino told reporters that he had not seen the US military’s serious threats to capture the canal, and that he proposed a technical level consultation with the United States to address Trump’s concerns on the influence of China. Ta.
However, Trump’s oath to seize the canal caused Panama’s great rebound. Panama City protests on Friday burned Trump and Rubio statues.
The riot police moved to the crowd of the crowd, fired tear gas, and took away the people. The collision was small, but the resistance to the US President’s attitude was widely felt.
On Thursday, Murino said that the canal’s ownership would not be for discussion with Rubio.
“I can’t even negotiate or open the negotiations on the canal. It’s sealed and the canal belongs to Panama.”
Mr. Trump’s comment on the canal contained unfounded claims that Chinese soldiers are operating it. He also stated that the US ship was more unreasonably prosecuted than others, despite the fact that such practices were illegal under the Convention Agreement.
The waterway is actually owned and operated by the Panama government under the neutral treaty signed with the United States several decades ago. However, Chinese companies are investing a lot in the port and terminals near the canal. Hong Kong -based companies operate two of the five ports near the entrance.
However, President Trump’s muscle approach has even refused to eliminate military actions to rob the canal, and has caused a strong and patriotic reaction in a small strategic nation.
“That’s ridiculous,” says Panam City’s resident Mari. He asked him not to disclose his surname.
“There is a treaty he must respect, and there is nothing in the treaty that the Chinese cannot operate,” she told the BBC and there is an investment in China in the US port and cities. I pointed out.
EPAMali, a fool of Panama’s hat and souvenirs and a stall, explained that many residents have strong memories of the United States can control and do not want to return.
The United States and Panama signed the Treaty in 1979, and in 1999, Panama started a handover process in which Panama could completely control the canal.
“If I did not follow all US rules, I could not be able to reach the canal area without being arrested. At the moment you crossed the border, you were in the United States,” said Mari.
“We had no rights in our country. I will never endure it again. The words (Trump) are very humilized.”
Trump’s refusal, which refused to eliminate the use of military power, caused suspicion and fear. It resolved General Manuel Noriega, a de facto ruler, of the 1989 US invasion of Panama.
“When the United States invaded, I was a political leader of the opposition when Noriega would kill all the leaders of the opposition,” said former Panama, Edwin Cabrella, due to the closure of the Canal’s Pacific Entrance. I remember talking to the BBC. 。
“I heard the bomb and started seeing people to die. The only thing left by President Trump and Rubio is that they will invade us,” he told the BBC. “I don’t want to live again in the 21st century. I want to relive the empire’s experience. Panama is in the right of the war between the United States and China while we are looking at the sky. “
Marco Rubio is the first Secretary of State of Hispanic and is famous for his Hawkish status in the region and some of the Chinese leaders. Panama is closely cooperating with the United States on many issues, but Rubio’s visit indicates the government’s inority on the country that absorbs Chinese investment in what the United States is regarded as its backyard. It is for the purpose.
In Panama, he claims that China ultimately use its profits at the port to prevent US merchants and editors in the event of a dispute or trade war.
“If China wants to hinder the Panama Canal’s traffic, they have done it. That’s true … that’s what President Trump is raising, and we intend to work on that topic … the dynamics will continue. I can’t do that. “
Despite the overwhelming support among ordinary Panama people on the ownership of the canal in their own country, some remain skeptical of their leadership, and the profits from the waterway are filtered for ordinary Panama. I claim that I will not apply.
“What is here -The United States and Donald Trump want to regain the canal -it is what we call the cause and the result,” said Panam City’s historic hotel worker. One Andre Howell says.
“They don’t manage the Panama Canal in the right way … Panama has no profit,” he said.
