In a meeting at the Palacio de las Garzas (Presidental headquarters), former presidents Ernesto Pérez Balladares (1994-1999), Mireya Moscoso (1999-2004) and Martín Torrijos (2004-2009) jointly signed a with Mulino, alluding to the statements of president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, who threatened to regain control of the Panama Canal.
The brief letter emphasizes that sovereignty and independence “are part of our history of struggle and irreversible conquests”.
“Our Canal has the mission of serving humanity and its trade,” the document states, adding that it is one of the great values that Panamanians offer to the world, guaranteeing the international community that they will not take part or be an active part in any conflict.
“Panamanians may think differently in many aspects, but when it comes to our canal and our sovereignty, we all unite under the same flag,” the document stresses.
Also attending the meeting were the current Minister of Foreign Affairs Javier Martínez-Acha and the Minister of the Presidency Juan Carlos Orillac, as well as the head of Canal Affairs, José Ramón Icaza.
Donald Trump, who will assume the US presidency on January 20, questioned this weekend the “exorbitant” tariffs and the management of the Panama Canal, while threatening to demand their “return” if the “moral and legal” principles are not respected.
He also claimed that China is interfering in the administration of the waterway, of which the United States is the main user.
President Mulino responded on Sunday that the “canal and its adjacent areas belong to Panama and will continue to belong to Panama,” stressing that the “sovereignty and independence” of his country “are not negotiable.”
The canal, through which nearly six percent of world trade passes, was built by the United States, which inaugurated it in 1914 and administered it until it was transferred to the Panamanian State on December 31, 1999. This year marks the 25th anniversary of that historic event.
The reversal of the interoceanic route was established in the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, signed on September 7, 1977 in Washington by the then head of government of Panama, Omar Torrijos (1929-1981), and the American president, Jimmy Carter (1977-1981), including a Permanent Neutrality Treaty for the canal, to which more than 40 States have adhered.
During the signing event, Mulino acknowledged support voiced by different leaders, former presidents, heads of international organizations and compatriots in general, following Trump’s statements.
The presidents of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, and of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum; and the governments of Venezuela, Nicaragua, China and Cuba have expressed their support for Panama’s sovereignty over the canal.
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