The head of Panama responded to Trump's statements regarding the Panama Canal

Panama has been responsibly managing the canal since 1999 and expanding it in the interests of the entire world, the country's president emphasized.

The Panama Canal will continue to belong to Panama and no country will be able to interfere in the management of the canal, Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino said.

The Panamanian head of state reacted in this way to Trump's words during his inaugural speech, stating that the Panamanian authorities "are not fulfilling their responsibilities regarding the management of the Panama Canal."

"The most important thing is that China operates the canal. We gave the canal not to China, but to Panama, and we are giving it back," the American president assured.

According to him, Panama charges too much for passage through the canal from American vessels, which concerns US Navy ships.

The leader of Panama strongly condemned Trump's statement.

"I repeat what I said in my address to the nation on December 22: the canal belongs and will belong to Panama, and its management will remain under Panamanian control, while maintaining permanent neutrality. No state in the world can interfere in the management of the canal," the Panamanian head of state noted.

According to him, Panama has been responsibly managing and expanding the Panama Canal since 1999 for the benefit of the world and trade. The country will use international law as a way to regulate relations between countries, including with the United States.

As you know, back in December 2024, Donald Trump threatened to take away the Panama Canal from Panama if the country did not stop charging what he considered excessive fees.