Trump's canal reclaim vow sparks diplomatic dispute with Panama

"We have been treated very badly because of this foolish gift that should never have been given, and the promise from Panama to us has been broken. The purpose of our agreement and the spirit of our treaty have been completely violated," Donald Trump said in his inaugural speech.

"First of all, China controls the Panama Canal, and we didn’t give it to China, we gave it to Panama, and we are taking it back," Trump declared.

The Panamanian President has already reacted to these statements in a declaration published on the portal X.

"On behalf of the Republic of Panama and its citizens, I must completely reject the words of President Donald Trump regarding Panama and its Canal, expressed during his inaugural speech. I reiterate what I said in my address to the nation on 22 December: The Canal was, is, and will remain the property of Panama, and its administration will continue to be carried out by Panama with respect for its permanent neutrality," stated Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino.

"We will exercise our right, based on the legal foundation of the Treaty, the dignity that distinguishes us, and the strength that international law provides us as the appropriate way of regulating relations between nations," the Panamanian President pledged. "Dialogue always remains the best way to clarify the discussed issues without prejudice to our rights, full sovereignty, and ownership of our Canal," he added.

Panama does not have a traditional army. As a result of historical and political decisions, following the United States' invasion in 1989, which overthrew General Manuel Noriega's regime, Panama dismantled its armed forces. Instead, the country relies on police forces and special units that perform tasks typical of armed forces.