Panama’s Concern over Trump’s Disinformation about Panama Canal
Panama City: Former President Martin Torrijos, pictured below, described the repeated mentions by US President Donald Trump of the Panama Canal and his intention to regain control of the interoceanic waterway as “systematic attacks.” “These are President Trump’s systematic attacks against Panama, against the Canal, insulting us, ignoring our struggle and our dignity,” said the president. For Torrijos, it is clear that this possibility, that of the United States recovering the canal, does not exist. “It was a 100-year struggle of sacrifices by entire generations who fought to see this country free, independent and sovereign, and that is not going to change,” he said. In his opinion, this systematic campaign has a purpose, but that purpose cannot be achieved.
“We have to remain united supporting our sovereignty, supporting the president’s positions as long as they are in defense of that, our independence and our sovereignty,” he said. Former President Torrijos says that every time Trump or one of his officials lie about Panama’s reality, one must come forward to clarify, deny or defend the dignity of the country. The president of the Panamanian Association of Business Executives (Apede) believes that the international response must be strengthened. “We are worried, like all Panamanians, we are worried because these are lies that the world is hearing, because obviously it is not the same thing when Giulia de Santics speaks or when President Mulino speaks, which we 4 million Panamanians listen to; however, Trump’s voice is a voice that is replicated and spreads through social networks,” said Giulia de Santics, president of Apede.
The president of the Panamanian Maritime Chamber also calls for a united front to confront this attack. For José Digerónimo, pictured below, the president of the Chamber of Shipping, this is a well-planned attack in which lies are a fundamental part. “We have heard President Trump repeat over and over again that 38,000 Americans died in Panama, that the Canal has to be returned to them, that it was sold for $1, a lot of concepts that we all know are false,” he said. This Thursday, President Mulino posted a message on his social media account with the message “The truth is the reality, the Canal is and always will be Panamanian,” adding the translation in English.
