Panama - Saba:
Panama's Foreign Minister Javier Martinez Acha Vazquez denied that his country's government had any contacts with US President-elect Donald Trump or his representatives, and that his country's sovereignty over the Panama Canal is non-negotiable.
The minister said in a press conference today: "The government of Panama, led by President Jose Raul Molino, has not had any informal or official contact with the president-elect of the United States or with representatives of the next government. When the president-elect takes office, relations between the United States and Panama will be managed through the regular and appropriate official channels."
He added: "The sovereignty of our canal is non-negotiable, and it is part of our history, our struggle and our irreversible victory. The mission of our canal is to serve humanity and its trade. This is one of the greatest values that Panamanians offer to the world, as they provide a guarantee to the international community not to participate and not to get involved in any conflict."
Martinez Acha stressed that the Panama Canal "is in the hands of Panamanians only, and will remain so."
Trump said Tuesday that he was in discussions with Panamanian authorities about the Panama Canal, which he intends to return to US control. According to him, Panamanian authorities imposed excessive tariffs on US Navy ships and violated "every provision of the agreement" with Washington after handing over control of the canal.
Earlier, Panamanian President Jose Raul Molino described Trump's remarks on the Panama Canal as a display of gross historical ignorance.
He pointed out that the canal is entirely state-owned based on a 1977 treaty and the country's sovereignty is non-negotiable.