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Being the destination for the first overseas visit by the top
U.S. diplomat would have been big for Panama in any case, but
Rubio comes as the emissary of U.S. President Donald Trump, who
has repeatedly suggested the U.S. retake the Panama Canal.
On the day of his inauguration, Trump claimed that U.S. ships
were being “severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any
way, shape or form,” noting that "above all, China is operating
the Panama Canal.” He had previously said the U.S. could demand
the canal be returned.
Mulino tried to downplay the tension at his weekly press
conference Thursday. He spoke of wanting to clarify confusion
about China’s role in the canal — a Hong Kong consortium manages
ports at both ends, but Panama controls the canal – and blamed a
predecessor for establishing diplomatic relations with China.
“It’s impossible, I can’t negotiate,” Mulino said when asked
about returning the canal to U.S. control. “That is done. The
canal belongs to Panama.”
The United States built the canal in the early 1900s as it
looked for ways to facilitate the transit of commercial and
military vessels between its coasts. Washington relinquished
control of the waterway to Panama on Dec. 31, 1999, under a
treaty signed in 1977 by President Jimmy Carter.
“The only thing that I want is to clear all the garbage from the
path, clean the table and be able to speak with the United
States and very frankly” about issues including immigration,
security and the fight against drug trafficking, Mulino said.
Rubio is scheduled to meet with Mulino Sunday and visit the
canal.
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