Shafaq News/ On Thursday, Panamanian President, José RaúlMulino, rejected US claims that Panama had agreed to allow American warships totransit the Panama Canal free of charge.
Mulino expressed surprise that the US State Departmentsuggested otherwise in a statement released late Wednesday night (Panama time).
During his weekly press conference, Mulino announced that hehad instructed Panama’s ambassador to Washington to refute the US statement.
He added that he had told the US defense secretary in aWednesday phone call that neither he nor his administration could alter canalfees, which are determined by the Panama Canal Authority, Mulino pointed out.
The US State Department had posted on X that Panama’sgovernment “US government vessels can now transit the Panama Canal withoutcharge fees, saving the US government millions of dollars a year.”
In response, the Panama Canal Authority stated on X that it “hasmade no changes to tolls” and reiterated its willingness to engage indiscussions with the United States regarding US warship transits.
According to American media outlets, US Secretary of State,Marco Rubio, reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to protecting the Panama Canal,arguing that the US should not have to pay transit fees for a waterway it isobligated to defend. Speaking from the Dominican Republic, he acknowledgedPanama’s legal procedures while emphasizing US treaty obligations.
Rubio also conveyed former President Donald Trump’s concernsabout China’s influence in the canal, suggesting it could violate the 1999treaty ensuring the canal’s neutrality. While Panama’s canal administratorsexpressed openness to prioritizing US warships, they made no commitments towaiving fees.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Panama denies US claim of warships free canal passage )
Also on site :
- Israeli forces halt aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg and detain activists
- Integrated ancient city uncovered in Karnak, dating back to 2000 BC
- Ukraine doing West’s ‘dirty work’ in Africa – Sudanese official