PANAMA CITY — A diplomatic war of words erupted Wednesday between Washington and Beijing after the US State Department criticized China for allegedly undermining Panama’s sovereignty in a port-related shipping dispute.
The latest friction began in early April when Secretary of State Marco Rubio condemned China for “bullying” tactics, claiming Beijing temporarily detained or delayed dozens of ships flying Panama’s flag. This action came after Panama took control of two vital canal ports from a Hong Kong-based company’s subsidiary earlier this year. Chinese officials have rejected these accusations.
On Tuesday, the State Department issued a joint declaration alongside several regional allies — Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago — condemning what they called a “blatant attempt to politicize maritime trade.” The statement expressed unified support for Panama.
These developments unfold as President Trump has adopted an increasingly assertive approach toward Latin America, including capturing Venezuela’s leader in a nighttime operation, implementing sweeping Venezuelan reforms, establishing an oil embargo against Cuba, interfering in regional elections, and threatening military intervention against Mexican drug cartels.
“The sovereignty of our hemisphere is non-negotiable,” Rubio declared in a Tuesday evening social media message.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian pushed back forcefully during Wednesday’s press briefing, dismissing the American statements as baseless and reality-distorting.
“Who occupied the Panama Canal for a long time, invaded Panama with its military, and arbitrarily trampled on its sovereignty and dignity? Who covets the Panama Canal, seeks to turn this international waterway — meant to remain permanently neutral — into its own territory, and disregards the sovereignty of regional countries? The answer is self-evident,” Jian said.
“The one who has politicized and securitized the issue of ports is the United States,” he added.
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino responded by thanking allied nations for their support regarding the detained vessels while attempting to calm rising tensions.
“We do not wish to engage in controversy, as we value respectful relations with all nations,” he said.
Washington has consistently worked to counter Beijing’s expanding influence across Latin America. Panama has become particularly significant in this superpower competition due to the canal’s essential role in global commerce, especially after Trump last year accused China of controlling the strategic waterway.
