Developing Story: Panama Replies Trump
By PHC Telegraph
The Panamanian nation has restated its resolve to retain ownership of the Panama Canal.
Its President, José Raúl Mulino, said in reaction to Trump’s threat that the Canal which gives access to ocean-going vessels “is and will continue” to belong to the Panamanian people.
Trump’s remark on Monday while taking the oath of office as the 47th President of the United States of America has sparked off reactions, with Panamanians taking to social media to condemn Washington’s new plan.
Describing the decision to cede control of the Canal to Panama after its construction as foolish, Trump said with an air of finality “We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back.”
But Mulino who reacted in Spanish stressed, “I must reject in its entirety the words expressed by President Donald Trump regarding Panama and its Canal.”
He went on, “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.”
Earlier , Trump had alleged China instead of Panama is operating the canal, a claim Mulino refuted.
“There is no presence of any nation in the world”, Mulino explained, “that interferes with our administration.”
He equally dismissed the impression created by Trump that the canal was given to Panama.
“The Canal was not a concession from anyone. It was the result of generational struggles that culminated in 1999, as a result of the Torrijos-Carter treaty and, since then until now, for 25 years, without interruption, we have managed and expanded it responsibly to serve the world and its commerce, including the United States,” Mulino added
