Overview

• Panama's President José Raúl Mulino has strongly denied U.S. claims that China holds control or influence over the Panama Canal, calling the allegations 'lies' and 'fascination.'
• The Trump administration has repeatedly raised concerns about alleged Chinese influence on the canal, with officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio warning of potential U.S. action under treaty obligations.
• Panama recently announced its withdrawal from China's Belt and Road Initiative, a decision President Mulino emphasized was made independently and not influenced by U.S. pressure.
• The Chinese Embassy in Panama has also denied any involvement in the canal's management or operations, labeling the U.S. allegations as 'pure lies.'
• U.S. Southern Command's Admiral Alvin Holsey met with Panama Canal officials to discuss security concerns, but Mulino instructed his ministers to avoid discussing the U.S. allegations.