Russia’s foreign ministry has called on President Donald Trump to reaffirm the current international agreement surrounding the Panama Canal and to leave it in control of the nation of Panama.
Alexander Shchetinin, the director of Russia’s foreign ministry’s Latin American department, told Russian news outlet TASS that he expects Trump “will respect the current international legal regime” of the canal as laid out in two 1977 treaties between the U.S. and Panama.
The agreement relinquished American control over the canal by the year 2000 and guaranteed its neutrality.
President Donald Trump, left, and the Danish cargo ship Lars Maersk sails through the Agua Clara Locks of the Panama Canal in Colon City, Panama, on Dec. 28, 2024, right. (Jim WATSON / AFP, left, ARNULFO FRANCO / AFP, right.)
TRUMP: CARTER WAS A ‘VERY FINE’ PERSON BUT PANAMA CANAL MOVES WERE ‘A BIG MISTAKE’
Trump has railed against Panama since his sweeping election win in November, accusing the Central American country of letting China dominate the critical maritime trade route and leaving U.S. ships getting “ripped off” in the process.
During his inaugural speech on Monday, President Trump doubled down on his grievances and declared that the U.S. would be “taking it back.”
“We expect that during the expected discussions between the leadership of Panama and President Trump on issues of control over the Panama Canal, which certainly falls within the sphere of their bilateral relations, the parties will respect the current international legal regime of this key waterway,” Shchetinin said.
He said that 40 countries also joined a protocol agreement, of which Russia is one, to recognize the canal’s neutrality and to keep it “safe and open.”
“[The U.S. and Panama] must protect the canal from any threat to the neutrality regime,” Shchetinin said. “At the same time, a reservation was made that the said right of the United States to defend the Panama Canal does not mean and should not be interpreted as the right to interfere in the internal affairs of Panama, and any actions by the American side will never be directed against the territorial integrity or political independence of Panama.”
Trump gives his second presidential inaugural address on Jan. 20, 2024.
TRUMP OUTLINES PLANS ON BORDER, PANAMA CANAL, NATIONAL DEFENSE
Trump has been critical of the agreement and said previously it was a “big mistake” on Carter’s part.
“The United States… spent more money than was ever spent on a project before and lost 38,000 lives in the building of the Panama Canal,” Trump said at his inaugural address on Monday.
“We have been treated very badly from this foolish gift that should never have been made. And Panama’s promise to us has been broken. The purpose of our deal and the spirit of our treaty has been totally violated.”
“American ships are being severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form, and that includes the United States Navy. And above all, China is operating the Panama Canal. And we didn’t give it to China, we gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back.”
The canal’s administrator, Ricaurte Vásquez, said this month that China is not in control of the canal and that all nations are treated equally under a neutrality treaty.
The 51-mile maritime trade route uses a series of locks and reservoirs to cut through the middle of Panama and connect the Atlantic and Pacific. The United States built the canal in the early 1900s as it looked for ways to facilitate the transit of commercial and military vessels between its coasts.
The canal spares ships having to sail around Cape Horn at South America’s southern tip, saving it a roughly 7,000-mile journey.
The Marshall Islands cargo ship Cape Hellas, left, and the Portuguese cargo ship MSC Elma sail on Gatun Lake near the Agua Clara Locks of the Panama Canal in Colon City, Panama, on Dec. 28, 2024. (ARNULFO FRANCO/AFP via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Panama President José Raúl Mulino issued a statement rejecting Trump’s comments and said, “The Canal is and will continue to be Panama’s and its administration will continue to be under Panamanian control with respect to its permanent neutrality.”
“There is no presence of any nation in the world that interferes with our administration,” he added, taking issue with Trump’s suggestion that the U.S. “gave” the canal to Panama.
“Dialogue is always the way to clarify the points mentioned without undermining our right, total sovereignty and ownership of our Canal,” Mulino said.
Fox News’ Caitlin McFall and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
In recent news, Russia has come forward with a strong response to President Trump’s recent threat to retake the Panama Canal. The Russian government has labeled Trump’s comments as reckless and dangerous, warning that such aggressive actions could escalate tensions in the region and lead to potential conflict.
The Panama Canal is a vital waterway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and is crucial for global trade and commerce. Trump’s remarks about retaking the canal have sparked concern and criticism from many world leaders, including Russia.
In a statement released by the Russian Foreign Ministry, they expressed their disapproval of Trump’s rhetoric and called for de-escalation and diplomacy in resolving any disputes related to the Panama Canal. They emphasized the need for all parties to respect international law and the sovereignty of Panama.
It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold, but Russia’s strong stance on this issue highlights the potential ramifications of Trump’s provocative statements. As tensions continue to rise, it is imperative for all parties involved to exercise caution and seek peaceful solutions to any conflicts that may arise.
Tags:
Russia, Trump, Panama Canal, threat, retake, international relations, political tensions, United States, foreign policy
#Russia #sounds #Trumps #threat #retake #Panama #Canal
