Panama Appeals to UN Over Trump’s Threat to Seize the Canal

Panama has formally petitioned the United Nations (UN) following US President Donald Trump’s recent threat to seize control of the Panama Canal.

In his inaugural address on Monday, Trump reiterated his concerns over China’s growing influence in the region, claiming that the country was effectively “operating” the canal. The waterway, a crucial international shipping route, was handed over by the United States to Panama in 1999.

“We didn’t give it to China, we gave it to Panama. And we’re taking it back,” Trump declared during his speech, signaling his intention to challenge China’s increasing involvement in the area.

In response, Panama’s government sent a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, invoking an article of the UN Charter that prohibits any member state from using force or threatening the territorial integrity or political independence of another. The letter, made public on Tuesday, urged Guterres to bring the issue before the UN Security Council, although it did not request a formal meeting.

Additionally, Panama’s Comptroller General announced an “exhaustive audit” of the Panama Ports Company (PPC), a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings, which operates key ports on either end of the canal—Balboa and Cristobal. The audit aims to ensure that the company is following its concession agreements and adhering to financial transparency, including proper income reporting and state contributions.

In response, Hutchison Ports PPC issued a statement affirming its commitment to complying with all Panamanian laws and regulations. “We have maintained and will continue to maintain a transparent and collaborative relationship with the Panamanian authorities,” the company said, adding that its financial results were independently audited and shared annually with Panama’s government.

President José Raúl Mulino of Panama firmly denied any foreign interference in the canal’s operation, emphasizing that the waterway is a symbol of Panama’s sovereignty and operates under a principle of neutrality. “The canal is and will remain Panama’s,” Mulino said, directly rebutting Trump’s assertions.

Trump has been vocal in his criticism of the canal’s management, arguing that the United States, which accounts for 40 percent of the canal’s container traffic, should exert more control over the waterway. In recent weeks, the President has suggested that military action could be considered to secure US interests in the region.

The Panama Ports Company’s concession agreement, which was extended by 25 years in 2021, has been at the center of the debate, with critics questioning China’s growing presence. While the United States remains the canal’s largest user, China has also become a significant player, particularly in terms of trade and investment.

Since its handover to Panama, the canal has generated over $30 billion in revenue for the country, including nearly $2.5 billion in the most recent fiscal year. Despite Trump’s threats, Panama’s government has made it clear that the canal remains an integral part of its national sovereignty and economic structure.