‘Don’t threaten us with visas’ - Panama’s President on U.S. pressure over China ties: Video
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has issued a caution to the United States, warning that his country will not be coerced with visa threats or diplomatic pressure over its relations with China.
Addressing reporters, Mulino revealed that a U.S. embassy official allegedly warned Panamanian authorities about revoking visas if the government did not align with Washington’s position on China.
“An official from the embassy came threatening to revoke visas,” Mulino said. “That is not consistent with a good relationship...the bilateral problem between the United States and China does not involve Panama,” he added.
Mulino firmly rejected attempts to pull Panama into the geopolitical rivalry between the two superpowers, stressing that Panama’s diplomatic relationship with China is established and sovereign.
“Panama has a relationship with China. It was not something I invented… I have asked repeatedly that Panama not be dragged into a bilateral problem between the United States and China,” he further remarked.
Mulino, who has sought balanced relations with both Washington and Beijing, emphasised respect as the foundation of diplomacy.
Panama and the People’s Republic of China established diplomatic relations in 2017.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
