Panama's president may go to UNSC in case of Trump's new threats

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino may appeal to the UN Security Council if his country continues to be threatened by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. This was stated by former Panamanian leader Ernesto Perez Balladares to Politico newspaper on January 10.

According to him, such a possibility Mulino admitted in a private conversation this week.

As specified by Balladares, Mulino, "like everyone" in Panama, was "surprised" by the Republican's statements on the transfer of the Panama Canal to the United States and is now waiting for Trump's inauguration to see if he will further contest the ownership of the waterway.

In the latter case, the current president of Panama intends to take "more action," the former head of state added.

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Earlier, on December 22, 2024, Trump said that the US will demand the return of control over the Panama Canal if the Central American republic does not renegotiate the terms of its use. In response, Mulino emphasized that the canal cannot become the property of the United States.

Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha Vazquez reiterated on January 7 that the sovereignty of the Panama Canal is non-negotiable. According to him, the country's government has had no contact with Trump or representatives of the Republican on this issue.