Russia talks about US President-elect Donald Trump's ambition to control the Panama Canal

On January 15, Russian Ambassador to Panama Konstantin Gavrilov spoke out against the intention to use force to regain control of the Panama Canal in a recent statement by US President-elect Donald Trump.

The Panama Canal is a man-made waterway that connects the Pacific Ocean with the Atlantic Ocean. (Source: Dreamstime)

Speaking to the press, the Russian Ambassador requested compliance with and respect for the treaties on the transoceanic waterway signed in 1977 between Panama and the United States, and emphasized that the declaration of using force to change the status quo of the Panama Canal is "counterproductive".

Russia is one of 40 countries that signed the agreements, which stipulate that international transit operations will always be neutral.

In both peace and war, this vital waterway for international trade must remain safe and open to the ships of all nations, transiting peacefully and on a completely equal basis.

To resolve the disagreements over sovereignty over the Panama Canal, Ambassador Konstantin called for dialogue and “only through political and diplomatic solutions”.

A day earlier, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Arsenio Dominguez also issued a message affirming that the Panama Canal will still belong to Panama.

The IMO chief said the issue was clear and there was no need for further debate, as the treaties were signed in 1977 and Panama would continue to manage the vital waterway as it has always done.

Last December, through the social networking site Truth Social , Mr. Trump accused “Chinese soldiers… of illegally operating the Panama Canal” and said that the US needed to restore the route connecting the Pacific Ocean with the Atlantic Ocean.

Recently, Mr. Trump declared that he did not rule out the possibility of using military or economic action to pursue the goal of gaining control of the Panama Canal.

In response, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino denied Chinese influence in the management of the canal, affirming that every square meter of this important waterway belongs to Panama and that the Central American country's sovereignty in this matter is beyond dispute.

The Panama Canal is a man-made waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, built, owned, and operated by the United States. However, in the 1970s, under the leadership of then-US President Jimmy Carter, Washington reached an agreement to gradually transfer control of this important canal to Panama.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/nga-noi-ve-tham-vong-kiem-soat-kenh-dao-panama-cua-tong-thong-my-dac-cu-donald-trump-301099.html