Trump Vows to Retake Panama Canal from Alleged Chinese Control; Panama Files UN Complaint

Jan 21, 2025, 09:30 PM

During his inaugural address on January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would 'take back' the Panama Canal, claiming that China is operating the vital waterway. Trump stated, 'China is operating the Panama Canal, and we didn't give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we're taking it back,' invoking the 19th-century doctrine of 'Manifest Destiny.' Panama's President José Raúl Mulino firmly rejected Trump's claims, stating that the Panama Canal 'is and will remain Panamanian.' In response to the remarks, Panama has filed a complaint with the United Nations, citing concerns over sovereignty and territorial integrity. China has denied any interference in the canal's operations. Additionally, Russia has warned President Trump against seizing the canal.