Trump, who will officially take office on January 20, also proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” a comment that was received with irony and disdain by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

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The Gulf of Mexico Has Been Called That Way Since Before the U.S. Existed: Sheinbaum

In a context of growing diplomatic tension, the leaders of Panama, Mexico, and Canada have responded firmly to the recent statements by the president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump.

At a press conference in Mar-a-Lago, Florida, Trump did not rule out the use of military or economic force to regain control of the Panama Canal and the island of Greenland.

These statements have unleashed a wave of rejection in the region, highlighting concerns about national sovereignty against external interference.

Trump, who will officially take office on January 20, also proposed renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America,” a comment that was received with irony and disdain by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

During her reply, Sheinbaum showed a 1607 map that already recorded the original name of the gulf and suggested that if it were to be renamed, it could be considered “Mexican America,” thus underlining the lack of foundation in the president-elect’s claims.

Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha was one of the first to speak out against Trump’s statements, emphasizing that the sovereignty of the Panama Canal is an “irreversible conquest” and “non-negotiable.”

Martínez-Acha recalled that the canal has been administered exclusively by Panama since the transfer agreed upon in the Torrijos-Carter Treaties in 1999, denying Trump’s accusations of alleged excessive tolls and Chinese control.

In an act of solidarity with Panama, the Costa Rican Legislative Assembly passed a motion condemning the “interventionist threats” coming from the United States. This collective response among Latin American countries highlights a sense of unity in the face of external pressures.

Outrage has also been echoed in Canada, where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who recently resigned and is no longer in office, was categorical: “Never, ever will Canada be part of the United States.” This statement reinforces the Canadian position against any attempt by the new U.S. government to interfere.

At the international level, the European Commission and powers like Germany and France have spoken out against Trump’s claims on Greenland, rejecting any form of economic or military coercion.

The statements by the president-elect have demonstrated the determination of the countries concerned to defend their sovereignty against what they consider unacceptable threats.

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