Why does Trump want to seize the Panama Canal?
Trump’s rationale behind his statement was to impose “unnecessary” fees on ships to pass through this important canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Newly elected Republican President Trump made the comment at his first major rally after his election victory on November 5. In his speech to his supporters at the Turning Point USA AmericaFest festival in Arizona, Trump said that his administration would work to rapidly develop the economy, close the borders of the United States, and end the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine immediately.
Trump shows beautiful dreams for America
“I can proudly say that America’s golden age is before us,” Trump said. “There is a feeling within us now that was not there until some time ago.” “We want to try to bring everyone together,” Trump said in his speech. We’re going to try. “We’ll really give it a chance.” He said that the leaders of the Democratic Party “lost their confidence and became confused after the elections, but they will stand by us in the end because we want them to stand by us.”
Why did America hand the canal to Panama?
During this, Trump expressed his opinion on many new and old issues. “We are deprived of the Panama Canal,” he said in his speech. He also said that America had “foolishly” handed it over to its ally in Central America. The canal was established at the beginning of the decade and was supposed to be built and facilitate the movement of commercial and military ships between its shores. The United States handed over control of the waterway to Panama on December 31, 1999, under a treaty signed by President Jimmy Carter in 1977.
Why is the Panama Canal controversial?
The canal relies on reservoirs, and was significantly affected by drought in 2023, forcing the country to limit the number of ships passing through it. Apart from this, the fees charged on boats have also been increased. Transit on the canal has returned to normal with moderate weather in the last months of this year, but the increase in fees is expected to continue until next year.
Panama is a close ally of America
Panama is an important ally of the United States and the canal is vital to its economy. The President of Panama has supported Trump from time to time on many issues. Trump said in his speech that when his second term begins, if certain principles are not followed, he will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States completely, quickly and without any questions.
The President of Panama expressed his strong objection
After Trump’s speech, Panamanian President Molino posted a video in which he said: “Every square meter of the canal belongs to Panama and will remain their country in the future.” “On many issues that concern the people of Panama, there may be different points of view but when it comes to our canal and our sovereignty, we are all united,” Molino said.
Reference to sovereignty over the Panama Canal
Molyneux said the fees were not set arbitrarily. He said Panama has expanded the canal over the years “on its own initiative” to increase ship traffic. He also said increased ship tolls help pay for the improvements. “The people of Panama may have different views on many issues,” Molino said. But when it comes to our canal and our sovereignty, we will all be united under our Panamanian flag.”
What did the Colombian president say?
“We will do it, but we will never negotiate about respect and dignity,” Colombian President Gustavo Petro said.
