PANAMA CITY — On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed a strong desire to bring the Panama Canal back under U.S. jurisdiction, which ignited feelings of nationalism and concern among Panamanians, given the trade route’s significance and the nation’s history of U.S. military actions.
Trump remarked, “American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form, which includes the United States Navy. Above all, China is operating the Panama Canal.” This statement was perceived by some in Panama as a potential attempt by Trump to exert pressure on the country regarding issues like migration control through the Darien Gap. Additionally, the implications of recalling past military interventions in 1989 weighed heavily on the minds of many.
Panama’s President, José Raúl Mulino, promptly defended his country’s sovereignty, reaffirming that the canal, which serves a population of around 4 million, will remain in Panamanian hands. Local residents, such as 52-year-old cab driver Luis Barrera, voiced their discomfort over Trump’s comments, likening the situation to a larger entity taking advantage of a lesser one. “I really feel uncomfortable because it’s like when you’re big and you take a candy from a little kid,” Barrera commented.
In earlier statements, including a December rally in Phoenix, Trump had suggested that he might pursue reclaiming the canal, which he described as having been “foolishly” relinquished to Panama. He highlighted grievances of overcharging faced by shippers and the extent of Chinese involvement in the canal’s operations. Recently, Trump did not dismiss the possibility of military action to regain control.
Constructed by the United States in the early 1900s, the canal was considered crucial for the transportation of both military and commercial vessels. Control of the canal was handed over to Panama on December 31, 1999, as part of a treaty initiated by President Jimmy Carter in 1977. This handover is a matter of pride for many Panamanians, who recently marked the 25th anniversary of regaining control, coupled with memorials for those who lost their lives during previous U.S. interventions.
The events of January 9, 1964, when students protested against the denial of flying the Panamanian flag in the U.S.-controlled canal zone, serve as a reminder of the long-standing tensions regarding U.S. presence in the country. In fact, recent protests included demonstrators burning an effigy of Trump. Current canal administrator Ricaurte Vásquez clarified that no control is currently held by China, stating that all nations enjoy equal treatment under the neutrality treaty governing the canal.
Vásquez pointed out that while Chinese companies indeed operate ports at either end of the canal, this was established through a bidding process in 1997, and U.S. and Taiwanese firms are involved in other port operations. Concerned citizens like Omayra Avendaño, a real estate professional, suggest that Trump’s threats should not be taken lightly. She expressed, “We should be worried. We don’t have an army, and he’s said he would use force.”
The backdrop to these concerns includes the 1989 U.S. invasion aimed at ousting then-dictator Manuel Noriega, which involved around 27,000 troops. For many, including Avendaño who recalls the turmoil at the age of 11 during that time, the memories of conflict remain vivid and troubling. She hopes the current Panamanian administration will seek international support to counter any potential aggression regarding the canal. “I remember the disaster that it was,” she recalled.
