In brief
Recent comments by President-elect Donald Trump about potentially retaking the Panama Canal have sparked concerns within Panama regarding its relationship with the United States and possible alignment with China.
In the heart of Panama City, a recent ceremony honored those who protested the U.S. occupation 60 years ago, reflecting the mixed sentiments brewing within the nation. The commemoration took place shortly after Trump suggested that China had control over the Panama Canal, arguing for a military reclamation of the waterway. Such statements were seen as disturbing in a country that still recalls the violence of 1964, when Panamanians faced deadly resistance while trying to assert their sovereignty. “My brother did not die for nothing,” Carlos E. Bonilla Cacó said, recalling the protests that ultimately led to Panama regaining control of the canal. The country's government is simultaneously reaffirming its independence. President José Raúl Mulino declared firmly, “The canal is and will continue to be Panamanian,” underscoring national pride amid external pressures. As these dialogues unfold, analysts are closely watching how Trump's administration might influence Panama's geopolitical stance, weighing the potential for closer ties with China in response to perceived threats from the U.S.
