Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a meeting with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino and Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha in Panama City. The discussions focused on regional and global challenges, particularly the influence of the Chinese Communist Party over the Panama Canal area.
According to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce, "Secretary Rubio informed President Mulino and Minister Martínez-Acha that President Trump has made a preliminary determination that the current position of influence and control of the Chinese Communist Party over the Panama Canal area is a threat to the canal and represents a violation of the Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal." Secretary Rubio emphasized that this situation is "unacceptable" and warned that without immediate changes, "it would require the United States to take measures necessary to protect its rights under the Treaty."
The meeting also addressed illegal migration in the hemisphere. Secretary Rubio thanked President Mulino for supporting a joint repatriation program which has reduced illegal migration through the Darien Gap. Additionally, they discussed improving investment conditions and ensuring fair competition for U.S. firms.
Secretary Rubio praised President Mulino's leadership in supporting a democratic Venezuela. He expressed gratitude for their productive discussion, highlighting it as an important step towards strengthening ties between the United States and Panama according to President Trump's vision.