US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino that Panama must reduce Chinese influence over the Panama Canal area or face potential US retaliation. Rubio, on his first foreign trip as America's top diplomat, held talks with Mulino, who has resisted pressure from the new US government over Panama's management of the waterway. Rubio stated that President Donald Trump, who has demanded that the canal be returned to US control, believes China's presence in the canal area violates a 1999 treaty.
PANAMA CITY — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino on Sunday that the Central American ally must immediately reduce Chinese influence over the Panama Canal area or face potential retaliation from the Trump administration. Mulino said later that"there is no real threat of retaking the canal or the use of force.”
“Secretary Rubio made clear that this status quo is unacceptable and that absent immediate changes, it would require the United States to take measures necessary to protect its rights under the treaty,” the State Department said in a summary of the meeting.The warning from Rubio comes as Trump has increased pressure on Washington's neighbors and allies, including the canal demand.
About 200 people marched in Panama City, carrying Panamanian flags and shouting “Marco Rubio out of Panama,” “Long live national sovereignty” and “One territory, one flag” while the meeting was going on. Some burned a banner with images of Trump and Rubio after being stopped short of the presidential palace by riot police.Mulino said he hoped Rubio’s visit would focus on shared interests such as migration and combating drug trafficking. Rubio’s trip, however, comes as a U.S.
“We’re going to address that topic,” Rubio said a day earlier. “The president’s been pretty clear he wants to administer the canal again. Obviously, the Panamanians are not big fans of that idea. That message has been brought very clear.”
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