Colombian President Gustavo Petro has issued a warning to President-elect Donald Trump regarding the Panama Canal, emphasizing his unwavering support for Panama’s sovereignty. Petro, a former member of the Marxist M19 guerilla organization and the first leftist president in Colombian history, took to Twitter to express his concerns over Trump’s comments about the canal. Trump criticized the “exorbitant” transit fees imposed by Panama and suggested the United States should regain control over this significant trade route, originally constructed by the U.S. in 1914 and administered until 1999. Petro’s stance reflects a broader commitment to regional solidarity, asserting that he will defend Panama to the “last consequences.”
In his social media message, Petro emphasized the importance of dialogue based on mutual respect and dignity rather than mere economic transactions. He stated, “If the new US government wants to talk business, we will talk business, face to face, and for the benefit of our peoples, but dignity will never be negotiated.” This assertion is particularly relevant considering the ongoing migration crisis that has seen hundreds of thousands of migrants traverse the Darién Gap, the treacherous jungle pathway linking Colombia and Panama. The ramifications of U.S. policies and actions on these neighboring countries are critical, as they deeply influence the region’s stability and migrant flow.
Petro also argued that Trump has made a grave error by potentially escalating tensions over the canal issue. He suggested that Trump’s proposed actions could lead to greater numbers of migrants traveling through the Darién Gap, indirectly acknowledging the complex interplay between U.S. foreign policy and regional socioeconomic conditions. He pointed out that if the U.S. perceives the transit fees charged by Panama as burdensome, the socioeconomic consequences of destabilizing Panama could be far more severe, stressing the interconnectedness of prosperity and freedom in the Americas.
The relationship between the United States and Panama regarding the canal is steeped in history, with Trump attributing its transfer to Panama in 1999 to a misguided decision by former President Jimmy Carter. Trump has called the current tariffs “ridiculous” and promised to rectify what he perceives as a “rip-off” of American resources. He has vowed that U.S. interests would no longer be subjected to perceived unfair fees, further complicating a delicate diplomatic situation that has garnered attention and concern from regional leaders like Petro.
Responding to Trump’s rhetoric, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino defended his country’s sovereignty over the canal, emphasizing that its management is firmly in Panamanian hands. Mulino pointedly stated that the tariffs levied on U.S. vessels are justifiable and established transparently based on market conditions and operational needs, countering any notion of arbitrary pricing or mismanagement. This staunch assertion of sovereignty highlights the ongoing tensions between national rights and perceived foreign interests in strategic resources.
Petro’s emphasis on solidarity with Panama, alongside Mulino’s defense of sovereignty, underscores the intricate dynamics at play in U.S.-Latin American relations, particularly in light of the burgeoning migrant crisis. Both leaders have recognized the critical role of regional prosperity in combating migration challenges. With Trump’s administration poised to potentially alter U.S. policy, the discourse surrounding the Panama Canal has therefore become a pivotal issue, affecting not only bilateral relations but also broader regional stability, economic conditions, and the lives of countless individuals navigating the perilous path to the U.S. border.