Panama’s Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha  says the Canal is Panamanian Operated by Panamanians and the U.S. Respects the Efficiency and Neutrality

Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha affirmed today that relations between Panama and the United States remain within a framework of respect and cooperation between both countries.  The Panamanian foreign minister explained that the two nations have been able to sit down and talk frankly and put their priorities on the table.  “The Panama Canal is managed efficiently and neutrally, open to all countries.

The United States understands that the best way to guarantee an open canal is for it to be in Panamanian hands and to have four million Panamanians as friends,” said Martínez-Acha.  The chancellor took advantage of the date to emphasize that January 9th is not just a memory, but a living lesson that must be kept present in new generations. In that regard, he stressed the importance of teaching the subject of the History of Relations between Panama and the United States in schools, so that events like those of 1964 do not go unnoticed or fade with time.