Real leadership is back in office. And our those who wish us harm should be worried.
Now this foreign enemy is cowering in fear over a threat from Donald Trump.
Russia’s foreign ministry has urged President Donald Trump to uphold the international agreement governing the Panama Canal, emphasizing that its control should remain with Panama.
Alexander Shchetinin, head of the ministry’s Latin American department, told Russian news outlet TASS that he expects Trump “will respect the current international legal regime” established by the 1977 treaties between the U.S. and Panama.
These agreements ended U.S. control of the canal by 2000 and guaranteed its neutrality under international law.
However, Trump has taken aim at Panama since his decisive election victory in November, accusing the country of allowing China to dominate the vital trade route while leaving American ships at a disadvantage. Trump claimed U.S. vessels were being “ripped off.”
During his inaugural address on Monday, Trump made his position clear, vowing that the U.S. would be “taking it back.”
Shchetinin weighed in on the escalating rhetoric, stating, “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.”
He highlighted that over 40 nations, including Russia, signed a protocol agreement recognizing the canal’s neutrality and ensuring its safety and openness.
“[The U.S. and Panama] must protect the canal from any threat to the neutrality regime,” Shchetinin said.
He further noted, “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 has repeatedly criticized the agreement, calling it a “big mistake” made by former President Jimmy Carter.
“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 during his inaugural address.
“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.”
Trump didn’t hold back, saying, “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.”
Panama Canal administrator Ricaurte Vásquez refuted these claims earlier this month, asserting that China does not control the canal and that all nations are treated equally under its neutrality treaty.
The 51-mile waterway, constructed by the United States in the early 20th century, links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, saving ships a 7,000-mile journey around South America’s Cape Horn. It remains a critical maritime trade route.
Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino responded firmly to Trump’s remarks, declaring, “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,” Mulino continued, rejecting 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 concluded.
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