Panama Files Complaint To UN Against Trump's Threat To Seize The Canal (X image @thepanamacanal)
Panama City, Panama: Panama files a complaint to the United Nations (UN) over US President Donald Trump’s “worrying” threat to seize the Panama Canal. The complaint was made in a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the government in Panama City referred to an article of the UN Charter precluding any member from “the threat or use of force” against the territorial integrity or political independence of another.
The letter urges Guterres to refer the matter to the UN Security Council, without asking for a meeting to be convened.
During his inaugural after his return to office, Trump repeated his complaint that China was effectively “operating” the Panama Canal through its growing presence around the waterway.
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“We didn’t give it to China, we gave it to Panama. And we’re taking it back,” Trump said. US handed over the Panama Canal at the end of 1999.
The Panamanian comptroller’s office that oversees public entities then announced “an exhaustive audit” would be launched “aimed at ensuring the efficient and transparent use of public resources” at the Panama Ports Company.
The company is part of Hutchison Ports, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings, and operates the ports of Balboa and Cristobal on either end of the canal.
Regarding the audit, the comptroller’s office said the aim was to determine whether the company was complying with its concession agreements, including adequate reporting of income, payments and contributions to the state.
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Jose Raul Mulino, Panama’s President, has denied that any other nation was interfering in the canal, which he said was operated on a principle of neutrality. “The canal is and will remain Panama’s,” Mulino said as a response to Trump’s threats.
Its been weeks since Trump started to assert pressure over the Canal. He also refused to rule the possibilities of using military force to reclaim the Canal. At least 40 percentage of US container passes through the Canal.
(With inputs from agencies)
