Why Trump wants the Panama Canal back: What Panamanians are saying - Video
As Donald Trump begins his second term as President of the United States, his renewed threats to reclaim control of the Panama Canal have sparked concern among Panamanians.
The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, vital for global maritime transportation. Approximately 72% of the ships passing through the canal are either bound for or departing from U.S. ports, underlining its importance to American trade.
Speaking on the potential consequences of U.S. intervention, one Panamanian resident told AFP, “The Panama Canal belongs to Panama. There's nothing to discuss. I imagine that Donald Trump wants to intervene in this abrupt way, and I think that would be a serious problem for what is Latin America, since the Panama Canal has connections with all countries, and the large influx of money for the country of Panama itself is a good one.”
In his inauguration speech on Monday, President Trump reiterated his intention to "take back" the Panama Canal, accusing Panama of breaching agreements made during the 1999 transfer of the canal’s operation. He also alleged that Panama has ceded control to China, claims that the Panamanian government has strongly denied.
"We didn't give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we're taking it back," Trump declared.
