President Mulino Denies the Statement from the US State Department and Warned that He will not Tolerate ‘Falsehoods’ – Trump Mulino Phone Call Postponed

The President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, in a weekly press conference, denied that changes had been agreed to in the collection of tolls from US warships, stating that it is a constitutional limitation. According to the president, during the meeting he held with the US Secretary of Defense, he explained that he does not have the power to increase or decrease the tolls on the Canal, citing article 319, paragraph 2 of the National Constitution, which establishes that neither the government nor the authority may exempt from the payment of tolls, fees or rates for the provision of the Canal service.

“I am very surprised by the State Department’s statement yesterday, because they are making an important, institutional statement from the entity that governs US foreign policy based on a falsehood, and that is intolerable,” he said.  He expressed his rejection to continue exploring the path of managing the bilateral relationship based on lies and falsehoods. “Panama is not the first country in the world, but neither is it the last,” the president stressed, assuring that he requested the Foreign Ministry to disseminate through diplomatic channels the Canal’s statement issued.

Ilya Espino de Marotta, Panama Canal Deputy Administrator (pictured below)

Ilya Espino de Marotta, Panama Canal deputy administrator, told Newsroom Panama that U.S. Navy ships were given preferential treatment in terms of waiting in line and didn’t have to pay for reservations.  U.S. Navy ships and auxiliary military ships, which carry military-related items for the United States, are not required to make a reservation to transit the canal like other ships—nor do they pay extra for that privilege.  “Reservations cost between $15,000 to $200,000 depending on the size of the vessel, so the U.S. does not have to make a reservation, nor pay for a reservation and go to first of the line, and that is called expedited passage, but it is not free passage through the canal.” she said. 

During his visit to Panama, Marco Rubio said he told Mulino that Trump believed China’s presence around the canal might violate the U.S.–Panama Neutrality Treaty, which was part of the agreement turning over control of the American-built waterway to Panama in 1999.  Chinese companies control ports on the Pacific and Atlantic sides of the canal, while state-owned Chinese companies are building a fourth bridge over the canal.  Military and policy experts have expressed concern, leading some experts to worry that China could shut the canal down if an armed conflict with the United States broke out. The communist regime mandates that businesses cooperate with China’s intelligence agencies. 

Mulino Asked the Foreign Ministry to Disseminate the ACP Statement to Deny Information from the US State Department

Panama City, Panama: The President of the Republic, José Raúl Mulino, requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama to disseminate through all diplomatic channels, with emphasis on Washington, the statement of the Canal Authority, “which is clear,” to all ambassadors abroad.  He said that he had already spoken with the Panamanian ambassador to the United States, José Miguel Alemán, to take firm steps to refute this situation, “which has not been pleasant because at all times I have conducted this, as the diplomatic relations of a country should be conducted, in good faith.”  In a statement, the Canal Authority reported that, “in response to a publication released by the United States Department of State, the Panama Canal Authority, which is authorized to set tolls and other fees for transiting the Canal, reports that it has not made any adjustments to them. 

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has since backtracked and changed an earlier statement regarding his department’s claim of free passage for all US ships, but called the fee for American vessels “absurd” due to a treaty binding the US to protect the canal if it comes under attack.

The 3 to 3:30 pm Talk Between José Raúl Mulino and Donald Trump was Postponed

The meeting did not take place due to last-minute changes in the US president’s schedule. It was reported that the Foreign Ministry will provide details on the new date once it is coordinated between the two countries. Hours later, the Panamanian president announced confirmation of a call from a senior official. More details as they become available.

Tensions between Panama and the United States arose after Trump threatened to take back control of the Canal due to China’s alleged presence on the interoceanic route.  According to Trump, there is also “unfair” treatment towards US ships that have to pay excessive fees to use the Canal. The US government has also expressed concern about two ports, Balboa and Cristobal, which are being managed by a Hong Kong company.