U.S. Secretary of Defense announces measures to curb Chinese influence in the Panama Canal

Photo: U.S. Secretary of Defense.

According to a report by Swissinfo, during the visit of U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to Panama, the official stated that his country will not allow the People’s Republic of China to compromise the security of the Panama Canal. Chinese authorities described these statements as malicious.

Hegseth is representing President Donald Trump, who, since taking office in January of this year, has reiterated his commitment to reclaiming the canal, which was built by the United States but, according to him, is currently under significant Chinese influence.

From a naval base located at the Pacific entrance of the canal, the secretary declared that “the Panama Canal faces new threats. The United States will not allow Communist China or any other country to jeopardize the operation or the integrity of the canal.” Likewise, Trump has not ruled out the use of force to regain control of the canal. Hegseth is also expected to participate in a security conference with officials from Central American countries.

This visit follows that of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who, in a meeting with the Panamanian president, called for concrete measures to limit China’s presence in Panama. Shortly after, President José Raúl Mulino announced that his country would not renew the Belt and Road memorandum of understanding and would withdraw from the Chinese initiative.

During his visit, Hegseth highlighted that decision as a sign that Panama understands the risks China poses, according to the United States. He also praised the move as a step toward strengthening bilateral relations.

In response, Lin Jian, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that senior U.S. officials have deliberately attacked China using fallacies in order to hinder cooperation between China and Panama. He added that this reflects coercive behavior on the part of Washington.

Following the meeting between Hegseth and President Mulino, both issued a joint statement in which the U.S. official acknowledged Panama’s leadership and emphasized the country’s sovereignty over the canal. He also noted that the United States and Panama would strengthen their bilateral relationship in order to curb Chinese influence and safeguard the canal’s security.

Regarding China’s involvement, Hegseth emphasized that China did not build the canal and should not have the ability to use it as a tool of leverage. He also claimed that Chinese companies are involved in key infrastructure in the canal area, which, according to him, allows them to monitor canal operations, posing security risks for both Panama and the United States. For his part, President Mulino has maintained that there is no Chinese intervention in the canal’s operation.

As for port control, Washington has expressed concern over the operation of the Cristóbal and Balboa ports by CK Hutchison, a company based in Hong Kong, considering it a national security threat.

Prior to Hegseth’s visit, Panama’s Office of the Comptroller General revealed that, following an audit of a subsidiary of that company, contractual breaches were found related to the company’s failure to deliver approximately $1.2 billion owed to the Panamanian state under the port concession agreement.

In this context, it was reported that CK Hutchison had agreed to sell these ports to the U.S. consortium BlackRock. However, the deal has not been finalized due to investigations by Chinese regulators. This transaction has been identified as a key element in the U.S. strategy regarding the canal.

Last but not least, during Hegseth’s visit, around 200 people protested in downtown Panama City in opposition to his presence. The demonstration was organized by labor unions and left-wing political groups, with participants carrying signs that read: “Trump, hands off Panama.”

Main Source:

EEUU advierte que “no permitirá” influencia de China en canal de Panamá – SWI

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