In a noteworthy development within the realm of international diplomacy, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is poised to embark on his inaugural overseas journey, with Panama as his destination, projected for as early as next week.
This anticipated excursion is emblematic of President Donald Trump’s fervent ambition to curtail the pervasive influence of communist China over the strategic Panama Canal—a monumental feat of engineering constructed under U.S. auspices more than a century ago.
In addition to Panama, Rubio’s itinerary reportedly includes pivotal stops in Guatemala, El Salvador, and Costa Rica, as reported by Bloomberg News here.
Marco Rubio, the former U.S. Senator from Florida, secured his position as Trump’s first confirmed cabinet secretary during this second presidential term, receiving an overwhelming 99-0 confirmation in the Senate earlier this week.
Shortly after Trump’s ascendance to the presidency, Panamanian President Jose Mulino issued a strong rebuttal to Trump’s proposals for reasserting U.S. sovereignty over the Panama Canal—a subject prominently featured in Trump’s inaugural address.
“We will restore the name of a great president, William McKinley, to Mount McKinley, where it should be and where it belongs,” Trump proclaimed. “President McKinley made our country very rich, through tariffs and through talent.”
“He was a natural businessman and gave Teddy Roosevelt the funds for many of the great things he achieved, including the Panama Canal, which has foolishly been ceded to Panama after the United States—think of this—spent more money on a project than had ever been spent before, resulting in the loss of 38,000 lives in its construction,” he continued. “We have been treated very badly from this foolish gift that should have never been made. Panama’s promises to us have been broken. The spirit of our treaty has been utterly violated. American vessels are being grossly overcharged and not treated fairly in any regard, especially those belonging to the United States Navy. Moreover, China is operating the Panama Canal, and we did not confer it to China; we granted it to Panama. And we are taking it back.”
Mulino, in his formal statement, articulated his firm disagreement: “I must reject in its entirety the words expressed by President Donald Trump regarding Panama and its Canal in his inaugural address.”
He further asserted: “I reiterate what I expressed in my message to the Nation on December 22: the Canal is and will continue to be Panama’s, and its administration will remain under Panamanian control, honoring its permanent neutrality. There is no interference from any nation in our administration.”
