US State Secretary Marco Rubio met Panama President Jose Raul Mulino on Saturday, and the bid of President Donald Trump mark his first international visit as the country’s top diplomat to regain control over the Panama Canal. Did.
Trump has suggested that China’s growing influence in the region, especially through its investment in Panama’s ports, pose a national security risk.
Hey refused to take military action to withdraw the canal, which the US handed over to Panama in 1999.
Trump said on Friday, “They have already offered to do many things,” but we think it is appropriate that we take back it, “Panama violated the agreements by allowing excessive Chinese participation to allow excessive Chinese participation. .
Panama says that the canal is ours
Rubio joined hands with External Affairs Minister Xavier Martinez-Athach and put a thumb-up mark before going into a conversation with Mulino.
After the meeting, the Panama President said that he discussed the issue of Chinese ports near the Panama Canal with Rubio, as well as migrated.
Mulino said that he would not renew the Panama-China Silk Road Agreement, which can be called early. Hey said that the sovereignty of his country on the Panama Canal is not for discussion, the canal is operated by Panama and will remain.
However, he proposed a technical level conversation with the United States to address Trump’s concerns about the Chinese influence in the canal and offer to help back some migrants if the United States has come to I. paid to.
Meanwhile, according to Tami Bruce, spokesman of the US State Department, Rubio told Panama that China was influenced in the “violation” of the canal treaty and the status quo was unacceptable.
He therefore warned the country that without “immediate changes”, the US would “measure” the necessary “measures” to protect its rights under the Treaty.
Earlier, Mulino has rejected any conversation about the American control of the canal.
Mulino said on Thursday, “I can’t talk, a process of conversation on the canal opened very little,” saying that the issue is “seal.”
“Canal is Panama,” he said.
However, his administration has initiated an audit of Hong Kong -based CK Hachison Holdings, which operates ports on both sides of the canal.
During the meeting, there were small but intensive protests in Panama, the police fired tear gas. About 200 people marched in Panama City, took the Panamian flags and “Marco Rubio out of Panama,” “Long Live National Sovereign,” and “One Territory, One Flag.”
Rubio on a tour of Central America
Rubio told the question to SiriusXM Radio in an interview before the journey, the question that the Panama Canal is a “main national interest” for the US.
The Panama Canal acts as an important trade route, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and provides 40% of the US container traffic.
Rubio said, “We cannot allow any foreign power – especially China – to keep the kind of possible control over it,” Rubio said. “It can’t just continue.”
Rubio’s visit is part of a broad tour of Central America, including Al Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Dominican Republic.
Rubio, son of Cuban migrants, speaks fluent Spanish, which helps them to operate American diplomacy in the Latin America region.
SS, DH/WMR, WD (AP, AFP)