- Title: Panamanians protest against US Trump's threats to take back control of canal
- Date: 21st January 2025
- Summary: PANAMA CITY, PANAMA (JANUARY 20, 2025) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS MARCHING WITH PANAMA FLAGS, SHOUTING SLOGANS U.S. FLAG ON THE GROUND PROTESTER BURNING U.S. FLAG PROTESTER WAVING PANAMA FLAG U.S. FLAG BURNING ON THE GROUND PROTESTERS HOLDING A BANNER READING (Spanish): "DONALD TRUMP: THE PANAMA CANAL IS NOT FOR SALE!" (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE SI
- Embargoed: 4th February 2025 00:18
- Keywords: Donald Trump Panama Panama canal U.S. expansionism
- Location: PANAMA CITY, PANAMA
- City: PANAMA CITY, PANAMA
- Country: Panama
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,South America / Central America,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001481420012025RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:After President Donald Trump mentioned again during his inauguration speech that he will seek to regain control of the Panama Canal, unionised workers marched on Monday (January 20) to the U.S. ambassador's residence in Panama City to protest the president's threats.
"We do not accept Trump's declaration under any circumstances. Neither Trump, nor the 'gringos' (referring to U.S. citizens), nor their army, nor their government have anything to do in Panama," said Saul Mendez, secretary general of a construction workers union.
Protesters holding Panama flags and shouting slogans burned a U.S. flag in front of the ambassador's house.
During his inauguration speech on Monday inside the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, Trump repeated his intention to take back control of the Panama Canal, one of several foreign policy pronouncements that have caused consternation among U.S. allies.
Back in December 2024, then president-elect Trump had raised the same threat about seizing control of the canal, an 82-km (51-mile) artificial waterway connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans that is a core international shipping route.
During his inaugural speech, he also claimed once again that China was operating the canal, which is managed by the Panama Canal Authority, a Panamanian government agency.
Panama marked in 2024 the 25th anniversary of the United States' handover of its interoceanic canal. In 1977, former U.S. president Jimmy Carter signed the treaties that led to the vital waterway's eventual transfer on December 31, 1999.
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