Rubio tells Panama to reduce Chinese influence in canal area or face US action

Secretary of state’s visit to Central American state greeted with protests at Trump’s demand to take back the waterway

The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, has held talks in Panama with its president, José Raúl Mulino, as protesters marched in opposition to Donald Trump’s demand for ownership of the Panama canal to be returned to the US.

The US’s top diplomat told Mulino in the talks that the US president has determined China’s influence threatens the Panama canal and that immediate changes were needed or the US would act.

Topics

US demands Panama reduce Chinese influence over canal or face action

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Central American nation is violating canal treaty’s neutrality clause
Financial Times - 1h
Rubio meets with Panamanian president amid Trump's Panama Canal push

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino Sunday amid his first overseas trip, as the Trump administration makes a push for control of the Panama Canal.
CBS News - 2h
Secretary of State Marco Rubio warns Panama's president about Chinese influence over the Panama Canal

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino in Panama over the weekend, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a readout of their meeting.
NBC News - 1h
Rubio Heads to Panama, With Canal in His Sights

On his first trip as secretary of state, Marco Rubio will also visit four other Latin American countries and press immigration issues.
The New York Times - 1d
Rubio to visit Central America with migration and Panama canal on agenda

US secretary of state to visit region amid concern over Trump threat to ‘take back’ canal and tensions over China. Marco Rubio , the US secretary of state, will travel to Central America this week ...
The Guardian - 2d
Panama will not discuss control of canal during Rubio visit, president says

José Raúl Mulino rules out talks on waterway with secretary of state: ‘That is sealed. The canal belongs to Panama’. Trump says China is ‘operating’ the Panama canal – here are the facts ...
The Guardian - 3d
Panama Canal, immigration crackdown to be focal point of Rubio's 1st foreign visit

Rubio will depart on his first foreign trip to visit countries in Central America that may be vital for carrying out the Trump administration's mass deportation plans.
ABC News - Jan. 23
What would it take for US to reclaim the Panama Canal?

Trump has suggested using military force to retake the Panama Canal, but such an action would involve complications.
The Hill - Jan. 22
'We're taking it back': Trump promises action on Panama Canal

Speaking during his inaugural address, President Trump vowed to rename the Gulf of Mexico the "Gulf of America," return Alaska's Denali to "Mount McKinley" and retake control of the Panama Canal.
NBC News - Jan. 20

More from The Guardian

Trump tariffs: markets brace for falls as Mexico and Canada hit back

Fears grow for global trade, with major indices likely to plunge as US trading partners quickly retaliate, raising chance China and EU will follow suit. Canada and Mexico hit back after Trump ...
The Guardian - 3h
Germans protest against party leader who pushed migration bill backed by far right

Angry rallies in Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg, Leipzig and Munich accuse Friedrich Merz of cooperating with AfD. Tens of thousands of people marched in Germany on Sunday to protest against the decision ...
The Guardian - 4h
Trump revokes deportation protections for 300,000 Venezuelans in US – report

Move comes as one-two punch for group already reeling from last week’s decision to rescind 18-month extension. The Trump administration has stepped up its attack on Venezuelans living in the US ...
The Guardian - 3h
Greece sends rescue teams to Santorini amid fears of big earthquake

Schools shut as precautionary measure and people told to avoid shoreline after hundreds of seismic tremors. Greek authorities have dispatched special forces, rescue teams, tents and drones to the ...
The Guardian - 2h
Families of victims visit Washington plane crash site amid swirl of questions

Federal investigators are still working to piece together the events that led to the crash that killed 67 people. Families of victims of the deadliest US air disaster in nearly 25 years visited the ...
The Guardian - 1h