Janice R. Andrews
The Panama Canal will remain under Panamanian control, affirmed Arsenio Dominguez, secretary-general of the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization (IMO), addressing recent remarks by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Trump’s comments, suggesting he might consider military action to seize the canal, have sparked global concern.
Speaking to AFP on Tuesday, Dominguez emphasized that the canal’s sovereignty is non-negotiable, citing treaties signed in 1977 during Jimmy Carter’s presidency that transferred the canal’s ownership from the United States to Panama. “The canal passed into the hands of Panama, which continues to manage this vital waterway, and will continue to do so,” Dominguez stated.
Trump’s refusal to rule out military intervention—saying, “It might be that you have to do something”—has drawn criticism from Panama and beyond. Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha firmly responded, declaring, “The sovereignty of our canal is not negotiable and is part of our history of struggle.” President Jose Raul Mulino echoed this sentiment, dismissing any possibility of discussions over its control.
The Panama Canal, a critical global trade route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, symbolizes Panamanian sovereignty. Built and operated by the United States until its gradual handover to Panama was completed in 1999, the canal now handles approximately 6% of the world’s maritime trade.
Trump’s remarks about the canal come on the heels of similar controversies surrounding Greenland. In 2019, he proposed purchasing the territory, which Denmark and Greenland swiftly rejected. Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the suggestion “absurd,” emphasizing Greenland’s autonomy as a Danish territory. Greenland holds significant untapped natural resources, but restrictions on their exploration remain in place.
Relations between the United States and Denmark, both NATO allies, have been strained by Trump’s demands for increased European defense spending. Frederiksen has since reached out to Trump to reaffirm Denmark’s position and commitment to the alliance.
Panama’s strong reaction underscores its determination to protect the canal’s sovereignty. The waterway is more than a crucial trade corridor; it is a cornerstone of Panamanian identity and pride.
Dominguez’s remarks from the UN maritime body align with Panama’s stance, reinforcing the treaties’ validity and dismissing any notion of renegotiation. As the situation develops, the international community stresses the importance of respecting sovereign rights and international agreements.
For Panama, the canal is more than a global trade asset—it is a symbol of national independence and a testament to its historic struggle for self-determination.
