Panama has rejected claims that it agreed to allow US government vessels to transit the Panama Canal for free, contradicting a statement from the White House.
The US State Department announced on X that American government ships could now pass through the canal “without charge fees, saving the US government millions of dollars a year.” However, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) swiftly refuted the claim, asserting that it had not adjusted its toll structure and retained full authority over transit fees.
The controversy comes amid renewed tensions over US influence in the region. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, currently visiting Latin America, urged Panama to curb what he described as China’s “influence and control” over the canal, warning that the US would take necessary steps to protect its interests.
Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino rejected allegations of foreign interference, affirming that the canal remains under full Panamanian control. While Panama has signaled willingness to collaborate with the US Navy on transit priorities, it has not agreed to waive fees.
Former US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized the 1977 treaty that transferred control of the canal from the US to Panama, calling it a “big mistake.” His recent remarks on “taking back” the waterway have reignited diplomatic friction, but Mulino remains firm that Panama’s sovereignty over the key trade route is non-negotiable.
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