Panama has reportedly issued a formal notification to the United Nations regarding the promise made by newly elected US President Donald Trump during his inauguration speech regarding taking control over the Panama Canal. The development was shared by Reuters through an obtained letter, on Tuesday.
In the letter, Panama’s UN Ambassador Eloy Alfaro de Alba emphasized the charge in the UN Charter that member states should not make any threats or use any force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. The letter was also distributed to the 15-security members council. Panama has a two-year, council seat for the period 2025-26, where it would be saddled with the responsibility of maintaining international peace and security.
Trump’s comments followed his earlier threats to reassert US control over the canal, accusing Panama of failing to honour agreements made during the canal’s final transfer in 1999 and alleging that Panama had handed control to China. The Panamanian government has strongly denied these claims.
“We didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back,” Trump said soon after being sworn into his second term.
Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino categorically denied Trump’s claims, stressing that Panama has absolute sovereignty over the canal. “Dialogue is always the way to clarify the points mentioned without undermining our right, total sovereignty, and ownership of our Canal,” Mulino said.
The Panama Canal, which was built and operated by the United States for decades, was returned to full Panamanian control in 1999 following a series of treaties signed in 1977 that allowed for a transition period of joint administration.