PANAMA COMPLAINS TO UN ABOUT TRUMP
During his inaugural speech, US President Donald Trump said that he plans to take back the Panama Canal.
This has led to Panama laying an official complaint to the United Nations over the “worrying” threat.
In the letter to the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Panama referred to an article of the UN Charter precluding any of its members from “the threat or use of force” against territorial integrity or political independence of another.
Guterres has been urged by members of the government located in Panama City to refer the matter to the UN Security Council. The request to avoid a meeting to be convened has also been included in the letter.
Trump said during his speech that China has taken over the operations in the Panama Canal by increasing its presence around the waterway over the last few years.
The Panama Canal was handed over as a gift to the country of Panama from the United States in 1999.
In response to Trump’s threat, Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino denied the interference of any other country in the canal. He said the canal was operated on a principle of neutrality.
“The canal is and will remain Panama’s.”
Image credit: Seatrade Maritime News