The United States and five other nations issued a joint statement in support of Panama after China retaliated against the country for its closing of concessions held by Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison.
The countries supporting Panama include the United States, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Paraguay. “We, the nations of Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States, standing together in our shared mission to secure our hemisphere, reaffirm that the freedom of our region is non-negotiable,” the joint statement reads. “We are monitoring with vigilance China’s targeted economic pressure and the recent actions that have affected Panama-flagged vessels. These actions—following the decision of Panama’s independent Supreme Court regarding the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals—are a blatant attempt to politicize maritime trade and infringe on the sovereignty of the nations of our hemisphere.”
According to the statement, Panama is a “pillar of our maritime trading system.” Any threat to the country is considered a “threat to us all.”
“We stand in solidarity with Panama,” the countries add. “Through our renewed commitment to peace, security, and Hemispheric cooperation, we remain dedicated to facing all threats to ensure the Americas remain a region of freedom, security, and prosperity.”
In January, Panama’s Supreme Court ruled that concessions held by Panama Ports Company, which is part of CK Hutchison, for the Balboa and Cristobal terminals in the Panama Canal were unconstitutional. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at the time that the U.S. was “encouraged by the recent Panamanian Supreme Court’s decision to rule port concessions to China unconstitutional.”
Last year, U.S. Ambassador to Panama Kevin Cabrera said the United States is working closely with Panama to eliminate Chinese threats around the Panama Canal.
