U.S. and Panama Accused of Undermining Canal Neutrality in IACHR Complaint
Panama Canal. X/ @gene_melius2
April 7, 2025 Hour: 2:31 pm
Panamanian social organizations reject the arrival of U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
Panamanian Human Rights Lawyer Gilma Camargo filed a complaint with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) against the United States and Panama for violating the treaty concerning the permanent neutrality and operation of the Canal.
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Camargo accuses the United States of repeating threats and human rights violations stemming from the 1989 invasion. She also criticizes the current Panamanian government for its failure to defend national sovereignty.
The jurist demands compliance with the 2018 IACHR ruling, which held the U.S. responsible for extraterritorial human rights violations and recommended comprehensive reparations for the victims of the invasion. She also highlighted the case of Spanish journalist Juantxu Rodriguez, who was killed during the U.S. invasion.
Camargo warned that new threats from U.S. President Donald Trump could lead to further violations of the Canal’s neutrality treaty. In her complaint to the IACHR, the attorney urged the Organization of American States (OAS) to take the case to the Permanent Council, arguing that Panama cannot guarantee the neutrality of the Canal as long as Article IV of the treaty remains in effect, as it allows for the permanent interference of the U.S. in the country and the region.
Meanwhile, Panamanian social organizations denounced the arrival of U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who came to Panama to participate in the Central America Security Conference.
Hegseth will be received by Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino and will hold talks with Security Minister Frank Abrego, among other high-ranking officials. His visit follows Trump’s threats to take back control of the Panama Canal due to an alleged “Chinese interference,” a claim that has been denied by local authorities.
In this regard, the National Front for the Defense of Economic and Social Rights (FRENADESO) described the visit as yet another sign that the national government aligns itself with Washington’s interests. This organization also warned about the alleged handover of the Canal’s cybersecurity to the U.S. Southern Command (SouthCom) and the presence of U.S. military personnel in hotels in the capital.
teleSUR/ JF
Sources: PL – teleSUR
