The Panamanian president, José Raúl Mulino, reported this Sunday that in the meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he conveyed that “the sovereignty of Panama is not in question.”

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This was detailed by the president in a press conference following the meeting with Rubio, which took place amid threats from U.S. President Donald Trump to regain American control of the canal in retaliation for alleged Chinese influence.

“There is no doubt that the canal is operated by our country and that will continue to be the case,” the president declared, who does not see a “real threat” that the United States could use military force to take control of the infrastructure.

“I do not feel that there is any real threat at this moment against the treaty, its validity, and much less of military force being used to seize the Canal,” Mulino assured.

“Can people feel calm?” they then asked him. “I would say yes,” he replied.

Mulino stated that the “meeting was highly respectful and cordial,” and he opined that a “path was opened for the construction of a new stage in the relationship” between both countries.

“I did not feel at all a climate of controversy or disrespect; I felt a very proactive atmosphere,” he affirmed.

According to the president, it is up to the authorities of the Panama Canal, due to the autonomy they have by constitutional mandate, and not to his government, “to clarify all doubts” that the Trump Administration has about the management of the waterway.

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