Donald Trump and the Panama Canal

Following statements made by US President-elect Donald Trump regarding the Panama Canal, the Latin American Reflection Roundtable issued a declaration defending Panama's sovereignty. The declaration was signed by political figures, former and current officials, and academics from the region, including CLACSO Executive Director Karina Batthyány.

The Latin American Reflection Roundtable is a network where analyses and proposals from political figures and academics dedicated to the study of international relations and their impact on the region converge. Its purpose is to identify the best conditions for internal regional dialogue, as well as for Latin America's dialogue with the rest of the world.

Latin American Reflection Panel
Donald Trump and the Panama Canal

The Latin American Reflection Roundtable, comprised of political figures from the region, former foreign ministers, former ministers, former ambassadors, and academics, considers it its duty to issue the following statement regarding the pronouncements of the President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump, on the Panama Canal:

1. The fundamental basis of coexistence in the Americas has been, is, and must be respect for treaties and international law. It was within the framework of the Organization of American States that both Panama and the United States decided to resolve their historical differences regarding the Panama Canal through peaceful negotiations.
   
2. The Torrijos-Carter Treaties were signed in 1977 as a result of the tireless struggle of the Panamanian people, and their implementation and compliance were respected by successive U.S. administrations. They formed the basis for Panama's full sovereignty over the Canal and its entire territory. These treaties became the foundation for new, respectful, and constructive relations in the Americas.
   
3. Panama has demonstrated absolute capability in managing the canal and responsibility in respecting the neutrality of the interoceanic waterway. After assuming administration of the Canal in 1999 and acting responsibly toward global trade, Panama carried out its expansion (2006-2016) by constructing a third set of locks that now allows the transit of larger vessels and doubles its cargo capacity. The United States, the main user of this waterway, is well aware of this.
   
4. Twenty-five years and more than 350,000 transits through the Panama Canal have passed under Panamanian administration. Panama has maintained a safe, efficient canal, open to all nations of the world with absolute equality and without any discrimination or complaints from users.
   
5. The statements of the US president-elect ignore this historical reality and distort the achievements of the treaties his own country signed and has thus far respected. It would be unthinkable and unacceptable for threats and coercion to become new instruments of US foreign policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean. To suggest such a policy is reminiscent of the Monroe Doctrine and serves as a warning about the eagerness of some to revive it.
   
6. It is irresponsible that, after the success of the signing and implementation of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, President Donald Trump intends to place the Panama Canal in a geopolitical dispute with China or to use arguments in this regard that disregard Panama's sovereign title over the Canal and its territory.
   
7. Peace, security, and coexistence in the Americas rest on dialogue, cooperation, understanding, and respect for international law.

For all these reasons, the Latin American Reflection Roundtable, always a promoter of the contribution of diplomacy and negotiation, declares itself in defense of the sovereignty of Panama, and calls for respect for the norms and ethical principles of the international system.

January 17, 2025.