It’s just over 100 days since Trump attacked Iran for the second time. His rhetoric about the end of war and making “a deal” accumulates like toxic waste in a dump. I recall the other lies he told about another “strait”, an artificial one …The Panama Canal.
Trump bullied Panama, a small state for US ships to get special reduced fees to use the Panama Canal. He argued the control of The Panama Canal was vital to US national security and the canal “a US asset” that was “given away”.
Trump repeatedly claimed and lied that China is effectively “operating” the Panama Canal, citing unfair fees and national security as justification for the U.S. to “take it back.” He says Chinese soldiers are “operating” the Canal. The operators are Panamanian. A Hong Kong-based firm operates ports at the canal’s two ends under a Panama concession, but China has no control or management role over the waterway.
Panama rejected any discussion on sovereignty, stating,
“Every square metre of the Panama Canal…belongs to Panama”.
Panama requested that the UN refer the matter to the Security Council. The facts, legal history, and recent developments surrounding the canal show The Panama Canal is owned, operated, and managed entirely by an independent Panamanian government agency called the Panama Canal Authority (ACP).
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