'Status Quo Unacceptable': Rubio Issues Ultimatum on Panama Canal

“The status quo is unacceptable”: Rubio issues an ultimatum on the Panama Canal Vladislav Kravtsov

New US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Panama on February 1. The American diplomat met with the country's president, Jose Raul Mulino, telling him that “China's influence threatens the Panama Canal.”

This was reported by 24 Channel with reference to materials from Reuters and the Voice of America.

What Rubio did in Panama

Voice of America journalists noted that Marco Rubio's trip to Panama is the first official visit of the top American diplomat in his new position.

According to US Special Envoy for Latin America Mauricio Claver-Carone, this is the first time in more than 100 years that a US Secretary of State has made his first official visit in office to Latin America.

Experts note that the US Secretary of State's visit is partly aimed at countering China's growing influence in the region. In addition, Rubio intends to promote the idea of ​​Donald Trump, who seeks to regain control of the Panama Canal and strengthen efforts to curb illegal migration.

In particular, Donald Trump claims that China allegedly controls the Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Panama denies this, insisting that it manages the canal impartially for all shipping companies.

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, for his part, ruled out any discussions with Marco Rubio on the issue of control of the canal.

I cannot negotiate, much less begin the process of negotiating the canal. It is sealed. The canal belongs to Panama, the Panamanian president said.

Some analysts warn that China is using economic and non-economic tactics across the Western Hemisphere to expand its influence, raising national security concerns in the United States.

Analysts also warn that China's foreign direct investment in Latin America and the Caribbean has grown significantly, citing an estimated $160 billion in Chinese investment over the past 15 years.

How Rubio and Panamanian President Talked

During their meeting, Marco Rubio told Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino that he believes Donald Trump Panama Canal management needs immediate changes or the US will “act.”

For its part, the Panamanian government has vehemently denied handing over the Panama Canal to China and insists that it operates the canal fairly for all ships.

While the canal itself is operated by Panama, the two ports on either side are operated by the publicly traded Hong Kong company CK Hutchinson. Meanwhile, other ports nearby are operated by private companies from the United States, Singapore and Taiwan.

It is worth noting that after his visit to Panama, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is also scheduled to meet with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chavez, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo and Dominican President Luis Abinader.