Staying Diplomatic: Panama's Approach to US Relations, Post-Phone Call
US-Panama Relations Maintain a 'Respectful' Tone Moving Forward - USA-Panama seeking to maintain "respectful" diplomatic ties
In a friendly chat with US Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau, Panama's Foreign Minister Martínez-Acha affirmed that any joint ventures will adhere to the nation's constitution, local laws, and the Neutrality Treaty of the Canal. The dialogue was deemed "swell" and "productive" by Martínez-Acha.
The conversation encompassed contentious matters such as illegal immigration, organized crime, and drug trafficking, along with the forthcoming sale of harbor concessions at the Panama Canal's entrances to a syndicate spearheaded by American investor Blackrock. Upon Hutchison's withdrawal, this was discussed.
Ahead of US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's upcoming visit, Martínez-Acha's comments surface. The US State Department shared that Landau thanked Panama for its diligence in curbing illegal immigration. He also applauded Panama's initiatives to thwart the Chinese Communist Party's malevolent influence.
Donald Trump, the current US President, has consistently criticized perceived excessive Chinese control over the Panama Canal and even suggested seizing control of it. Panama has accommodated Trump's demands and pressured the Hong Kong operator to withdraw.
The US-constructed Panama Canal was inaugurated in 1914. In 1977, US President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian military leader Omar Torrijos sealed an agreement for the canal's transfer to Panama, which gained full autonomy in 1999.
The Panama Canal remains a vital trade lifeline, saving ships the grueling journey around South America. Approximately 5% of global trade utilizes this financially and geostrategically crucial waterway. The countries with the highest intensity of use are the US, China, Japan, and South Korea.
- Panama Canal
- US-Panama Relations
- Donald Trump
- US
- China
- Hutchison Telecom
Behind the Scenes:
The US-Panama relationship is characterized by several pressing concerns: the status of the Panama Canal, illegal immigration, organized crime, and drug trafficking.
Panama Canal:
- US Standpoint: President Donald Trump persistently advocates for reclaiming the Panama Canal, emphasizing its paramount importance for US national security and economic interests[1][4]. The US has been heightening its military and diplomatic presence in Panama to bolster this objective[1].
- Panama's Stance: Panama denies US claims of Chinese manipulation of the canal and retains it as a sovereign entity within its control[4][5].
Illegal Immigration:
- There is limited publicly available data on recent advancements in US-Panama clashes concerning illegal immigration. However, regional security discussions frequently revolve around broader migration predicaments across Central America[3].
Organized Crime:
- Joint Endeavors: The US and Panama are proactively cooperating to quell organized crime. This engagement encompasses collaborative training sessions for Special Operations Forces explicitly targeting transnational crime and trafficking[1].
- Regional Impact: The alliance serves as part of the broader regional strategy to tackle shared security issues in Central America[3].
Drug Trafficking:
- United Cooperation: Both nations are collaborating to thwart drug trafficking as part of their extensive counter-crime initiatives. The US-Panama Special Operations Forces dialogue in February 2025 spotlighted cooperation in this area[1].
- Regional Vulnerabilities: Despite joint efforts, the region continues to be susceptible to trafficking due to its strategic location and persisting security challenges[1].
- In an effort to maintain a respectful relationship with the US, Panama's Foreign Minister Martínez-Acha has assured that any joint ventures, such as the ongoing sale of harbor concessions at the Panama Canal's entrances, will adhere to the nation's constitution, local laws, and the Neutrality Treaty of the Canal, as discussed in a recent conversation between Martínez-Acha and US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.
- After the withdrawal of Hutchison Telecom from the bid to control the harbor concessions, Landau reportedly thanked Panama for its diligence in curbing illegal immigration and its initiatives to thwart the Chinese Communist Party's malevolent influence during the same conversation.
- Despite diplomatic tensions over the status of the Panama Canal, Panama has appreciated the neutrality of the US, exemplified by its refusal to take sides in conflicts such as the trade war between the US and China, which is a stark contrast to the aggressive stance taken by the current US President, Donald Trump.
