Panama’s President Jose Raúl Mulino has dismissed US President-elect Donald Trump’s baseless claim that the Chinese military is “running the Panama Canal.”
This comes after President Trump accused the Panamanian government of “ripping off” the United States with the Panama Canal.
President Trump brutally targets Panamanian government, sends Christmas greetings to Chinese soldiers
On his social media platform Truth Social, President Trump wished Christmas greetings to “the great Chinese soldiers who lovingly but illegally operate the Panama Canal” and said, “The United States is ‘fixing’ the Panama Canal.” “We are ensuring that billions of dollars are spent on the “I have money, but I have nothing to say.”
Panama’s president called Trump’s claims “nonsense” and told reporters in Panama City that there was “no Chinese interference whatsoever,” according to Britain’s Independent newspaper.
“There are no Chinese soldiers in the canal. For the love of God, you are free and the whole world is free to visit the canal if you wish,” he said.
“What[President Trump]said on this issue is nonsense and doesn’t exist,” Mulino continued.
Panama’s president hits back at Trump
Mulino also ruled out that the canal, a key commercial route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, could be abandoned or that rates for U.S. ships could be lowered.
“The canal belongs to Panama and to the Panamanian people,” he declared, stressing that there was “no possibility” of starting a debate on this fact.
After severing diplomatic relations with Taiwan, Panama restored diplomatic relations with China in 2017. Mulino described the relationship between the two countries as “respectful and well-managed in the interests of both countries.”
His remarks also came after President Trump announced that he would appoint a Florida politician to serve as ambassador to Panama.
Miami-Dade County Republican Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera represented Florida at this year’s Republican National Committee.
President Trump said Cabrera “will do a great job representing our interests in Panama!”
President Trump slams Canada and Mexico
During the conservative Turning Point USA conference in Phoenix last weekend, President Trump threatened to seize control of the canal. He told the audience he was ready to take the lead because he was angry about the “exorbitant” fees being charged by Panama.
In response to the threat, Murina insisted that “our sovereignty and independence are non-negotiable.”
Meanwhile, President Trump targeted Canada and Mexico for harmful border restrictions and unfair trade tactics.
