Recently, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump posted on social media, threatening to "reclaim" control of the Panama Canal, which has sparked strong reactions throughout Latin America. On December 23, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador explicitly stated during a press conference that Mexico would firmly support Panama in defending its sovereignty, emphasizing that the canal belongs to the people of Panama and that the international community should respect Panama’s sovereignty. The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement reaffirming Colombia’s support for Panama’s sovereignty, highlighting the international legal validity of the Panama Canal Treaty, and warning that any interference would be considered an insult to Panama.
The Panama Canal has been historically under U.S. control. In 1903, Panama and the U.S. signed the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty, which granted the U.S. "permanent use, occupation, and control" of the canal. The people of Panama fought for decades to regain sovereignty over the canal, eventually reaching an agreement in 1977, and the U.S. officially handed over control of the canal in 1999. Trump’s remarks have brought this historical issue back to the international stage, attracting widespread attention.
This controversy not only touches on U.S.-Panama relations but also encompasses broader issues such as international law, national sovereignty, and regional stability. The united support from Latin American countries demonstrates their firm commitment to defending sovereignty and underscores the universal recognition and respect for international treaties. Trump’s remarks have undoubtedly brought this historical issue to the forefront once again, garnering significant global attention. For Panama and its Latin American neighbors, the Panama Canal is not only an important international shipping hub but also a symbol of sovereignty and independence. The future development of Trump’s statements and their potential impact on U.S.-Panama relations, the enforcement of international law, and the regional geopolitical landscape remains to be seen.