Marco Rubio Arrives in Panama this Saturday to Reinforce the ‘America First’ Policy in the Region and Counteract the Presence of China
The State Department confirmed the diplomat’s tour, which in addition to Panama, includes visits to El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic from February 1 to 6.
Under the banner of “America First” promoted by President Donald Trump, the Secretary of State of the United States, Marco Rubio, begins this Saturday, February 1, his tour of several Central American countries, including Panama. Marco Rubio will arrive in Panama in the evening hours of this Saturday, February 1, and is scheduled to meet with the Panamanian president, José Raúl Mulino, on Sunday, February 2 at noon. The Panama Canal issue, with Trump’s controversial threats to recover the interoceanic route, trade relations with the United States and migration will be on the agenda. In a statement, the State Department confirmed that it will also visit Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic during its tour of the region from February 1 to 6.
“Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic from February 1-6 to advance President Trump’s “America First” foreign policy. Secretary Rubio’s engagement with senior officials and business leaders will promote regional cooperation on our essential, common interests: stopping large-scale illegal migration, combating the scourge of transnational criminal organizations and drug traffickers, countering China, and deepening economic partnerships to enhance prosperity in our hemisphere.”
Why Secretary of State Marco Rubio is Heading to Panama For His First Foreign Trip in New Role
Panama’s President says there will be no Negotiation about Ownership of the Canal
PANAMA CITY — Panama President José Raúl Mulino said Thursday there will be no negotiation with the United States over ownership of the Panama Canal, and he hopes U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (pictured below) during his upcoming visit will allow them to focus on shared interests including migration and combating drug trafficking. Being the destination for the first overseas visit by the top U.S. diplomat would have been big for Panama in any case, but Rubio comes as the emissary of U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly suggested the U.S. retake the Panama Canal.
On the day of his inauguration, Trump (pictured below) claimed that U.S. ships were being “severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form,” noting that “above all, China is operating the Panama Canal.” He had previously said the U.S. could demand the canal be returned. Mulino tried to downplay the tension at his weekly press conference Thursday. He spoke of wanting to clarify confusion about China’s role in the canal — a Hong Kong consortium manages ports at both ends, but Panama controls the canal – and blamed a predecessor for establishing diplomatic relations with China. “It’s impossible, I can’t negotiate,” Mulino said when asked about returning the canal to U.S. control. “That is done. The canal belongs to Panama.”
The United States built the canal in the early 1900s as it looked for ways to facilitate the transit of commercial and military vessels between its coasts. Washington relinquished control of the waterway to Panama on Dec. 31, 1999, under a treaty signed in 1977 by President Jimmy Carter. “The only thing that I want is to clear all the garbage from the path, clean the table and be able to speak with the United States and very frankly” about issues including immigration, security and the fight against drug trafficking, Mulino said. Rubio is scheduled to meet with Mulino (pictured below) Sunday and visit the canal.
