Russia’s foreign ministry has called on President Donald Trump to respect the current international agreement surrounding the Panama Canal and to leave it in control of the nation of Panama. According to Alexander Shchetinin, the director of Russia’s foreign ministry’s Latin American department, Trump is expected to “respect the current international legal regime” of the canal, which is governed by two 1977 treaties between the U.S. and Panama.
The treaties relinquished American control over the canal by the year 2000 and guaranteed its neutrality. Shchetinin stressed that 40 countries, including Russia, have joined a protocol agreement recognizing the canal’s neutrality and committing to keep it “safe and open.”
Trump, on the other hand, has been critical of the agreement, calling it a “big mistake” made by President Carter. He has accused Panama of allowing China to dominate the canal and has threatened to “take it back.” However, the canal’s administrator, Ricaurte Vásquez, has denied that China is in control of the canal and has emphasized that all nations are treated equally under the neutrality treaty.
Trump’s comments have been met with rebuke from Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino, who has rejected the suggestion that the U.S. “gave” the canal to Panama and has emphasized that the country will continue to be responsible for its administration and control. Mulino has also called for dialogue to resolve any outstanding issues without undermining Panama’s sovereignty over the canal.
