Venezuela Reaffirms Support for Panama’s Sovereignty over the Canal

Venezuela stands firmly in solidarity with Panama, urging the international community to respect the principles of sovereignty and self-determination that are fundamental for peace and cooperation in the region. Dec 23, 2024 Photo: EFE

December 23, 2024 Hour: 4:08 pm

The next U.S. president, Donald Trump, warned last Saturday that Washington may demand the recovery of control over the Panama Canal if its principles are not respected.

The Ministry of People’s Power for Foreign Relations of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has issued a strong statement reaffirming its unwavering commitment to the sovereignty of Panama over the Canal, an achievement attributed to the heroic efforts of President Omar Torrijos.

In his historic struggle for self-determination, Torrijos stressed that “the canal is the religion that unites the Panamanians,” a phrase that encapsulates the deep sense of identity and national unity among the Panamanian people.

The Venezuelan statement highlights Torrijos’s legacy as a true patriot of Latin America, emphasizing the importance of national sovereignty in a context where external interference is increasingly frequent.

The statement also evokes the words of Simón Bolívar, who, when he learned about Panama’s independence, expressed his admiration for the country, highlighting that “Panama, the center of the universe, is segregated by itself and free by its own virtue.” This quote resonates in the present, recalling the historical struggle of Latin American peoples for their autonomy and dignity.

The next U.S. president, Donald Trump, warned last Saturday that Washington may demand the recovery of control over the Panama Canal if its principles are not respected.

He stated that “the United States has a personal interest in the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of the Panama Canal… It was not granted for the benefit of others, but simply as a show of cooperation with us and Panama. If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of generosity are not respected, we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us in its entirety and without question. To the officials of Panama, I ask that you guide yourselves accordingly!,”.

This statement comes in a context where geopolitical tensions have called into question the territorial integrity of sovereign nations.

Venezuela’s defense of Panamanian sovereignty also underlines the regional commitment to self-determination and mutual respect, essential pillars for the development and well-being of Latin American peoples.