PANAMA CITY — On Monday, President Donald Trump expressed his desire to reclaim U.S. control over the Panama Canal, a statement that sparked a wave of national pride and concern among Panamanians. This vital waterway, long under Panamanian jurisdiction, has a history intertwined with U.S. military involvement, making Trump’s comments particularly sensitive.
“American ships are being severely overcharged and treated unfairly, including the United States Navy. Moreover, China is managing the Panama Canal,” Trump remarked, intensifying the nationalist sentiments. In Panama City, many interpreted these remarks not only as a claim for the canal but as leverage in the ongoing discussions about immigration management, particularly concerning the Darien Gap. Some residents recalled the 1989 U.S. invasion with apprehension, feeling a need to protect their nation’s sovereignty.
In a decisive response, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino reiterated that the canal is an integral part of his nation’s heritage and will remain firmly under Panamanian authority. Mulino’s assertions were sent to the U.N. Security Council, where he categorically dismissed Trump’s comments, emphasizing that no foreign nation interferes with Panama’s governance.
Luis Barrera, a local taxi driver, voiced strong sentiments shared by many citizens, expressing discomfort with the prospect of the U.S. reclaiming the canal. “It feels like someone big taking candy from a child,” he stated, highlighting the importance of the canal’s history to Panamanian identity.
Trump previously mentioned at a rally in December his inclination to reclaim the canal, labeling its handover to Panama as a mistake. He criticized the costs imposed on shippers and asserted that China’s influence over the waterway is problematic. Earlier this month, Trump even suggested he might resort to military action to regain control.
The canal, constructed by the U.S. in the early 20th century, was handed over to Panama on December 31, 1999, in accordance with a treaty established by President Jimmy Carter in 1977. For Panamanians, this occasion is a source of national pride, with recent celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of the transfer and memorials honoring victims of historical U.S. military actions.
One significant incident occurred on January 9, 1964, when students protested against restrictions on flying the Panamanian flag in schools within the U.S.-controlled Canal Zone, leading to broader anti-U.S. sentiment that involved local troops. In a sign of discontent, protesters recently burned an effigy of Trump.
The canal’s current administrator, Ricaurte Vásquez, clarified that China does not control the canal but expressed that all nations operate under a neutrality treaty ensuring equal treatment. He explained that while Chinese companies are involved in port operations at either end of the canal, they partner within a consortium that won contracts in 1997, noting that U.S. and Taiwanese firms are also active.
Ongoing fears among the populace were voiced by Omayra Avendaño, a real estate professional, who remarked that Trump’s threats should not be dismissed. “We should be worried,” she emphasized, recalling the last U.S. invasion at the young age of 11. She expressed hope that the Panamanian government would rally international support to deter any aggressive actions regarding the canal. “I remember the devastation it caused,” she reflected, noting the historical impact of U.S. military interventions in Panama.
This ongoing dialogue reflects the delicate balance between national pride and geopolitical tensions, as Panama seeks to assert its sovereignty while remaining attentive to international relations in a complex global landscape.
