Marco Rubio Arrives in Panama for First Foreign Visit to Discuss Panama Canal Restoration

Marco Rubio Arrives in Panama for First Foreign Visit to Discuss Panama Canal Restoration

Panama, February 2 – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has begun his first overseas trip in Panama, where he will visit the Panama Canal and meet with President José Raúl Mulino. This trip follows President Donald Trump's extraordinary threat to take back control of the Panama Canal.

As part of a five-country tour, Rubio is in Panama and noted in a column for the Wall Street Journal, "It is no accident that my first foreign visit begins in the Americas."

The Panama Canal, a crucial waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, handles over 40% of the U.S. container traffic. In 1999, the canal was transferred from the United States to Panama. However, Trump recently claimed that China has been extending its influence through ports around the Panama Canal, and he has suggested reclaiming the canal for U.S. security interests.

Trump stated, "They’ve proposed doing a lot, but we think it’s right for us to take it back." He also blamed Panama for leaving Chinese-language signs up and accused the country of violating the canal agreement.

Panama's President Mulino has refused to discuss the canal, saying, "It is impossible; I cannot discuss it. The canal belongs to Panama." However, Rubio stated that he would clearly convey Trump’s position and discuss China’s influence in Panama.

Rubio further remarked, "Trump’s objective is driven by legitimate national security concerns, which have raised alarm over China’s growing influence in Latin America."

Meanwhile, discussions are underway regarding a potential deal to remove operations of the China-based Hutchison Ports company from the Panama Canal, although it is still unclear how Trump plans to fulfill his demands.

Analysts say Rubio's visit could be crucial in clarifying the reality behind Trump’s threats and proposals.