On February 1st local time, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Panama City, the capital of Panama, marking the official start of his first overseas visit since taking office. Panama is the first stop of this tour, and Rubio will subsequently visit Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic to strengthen diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Latin American countries.
The Panama Canal Issue in Focus
One of the key reasons for the attention on this visit is the Trump administration's stance on the control of the Panama Canal. U.S. President Trump has publicly stated multiple times his desire to regain control of the Panama Canal, even suggesting military options are on the table. Rubio's visit to Panama is seen as an important step for the U.S. to send further signals on this issue.
In a pre-trip interview, Rubio revealed that, besides topics like immigration, he would also discuss the Panama Canal control issue with the Panamanian government. However, Panama remains firm, and President José Raúl Mulino clearly stated that the sovereignty of the Panama Canal is non-negotiable. In a public statement, he emphasized, "This canal belongs to Panama, and we will not enter into any negotiations on this matter."
Protests in Panama Against U.S. Stance
On the eve of Rubio's visit, anti-U.S. protests erupted in Panama, with citizens carrying banners to protest the Trump administration's attempt to "take back" the Panama Canal. Protesters believe that the U.S. stance infringes on Panama's sovereignty and demand that their government stand firm and resist U.S. pressure on this issue.
The Panamanian government's stance is also quite clear. President Mulino stated that he hopes the upcoming U.S.-Panama talks will focus on immigration management, border security, and combating drug trafficking—topics of mutual interest—rather than on sovereignty disputes. He urged the U.S. to respect Panama's position and avoid escalating regional tensions.
Agenda and Future Direction of U.S.-Panama Talks
According to the announced schedule, Rubio will hold formal talks with President Mulino at 10:00 AM on the morning of the 2nd, and then visit the Panama Canal. This visit will provide important signals for the future direction of U.S.-Panama relations, especially as the Trump administration pursues a more assertive foreign policy. The ability to smoothly advance cooperation on issues like immigration, trade, and security remains uncertain.
Analysts believe that while there is room for cooperation between the U.S. and Panama on immigration and security issues, the Panama Canal issue could become a major obstacle in U.S.-Panama relations. As Latin American countries adopt an increasingly cautious attitude toward U.S. foreign policy, finding a balance between sovereignty and cooperation tests the diplomatic wisdom of both sides.
