Saturday audience with Pope Francisduring which there was a conversation with the president Panama Jose Raulem Mulino it was supposed to last about 30 minutes, after which the Holy Father presented his guest with a bas-relief titled “Gentleness and Love” and, among others, text of the message for this year's World Day of Peace.
In turn, he brought Mulino from his country as part of a traditional exchange four photo albumsdocumenting subsequent stages of construction and expansion Panama Canal.
Vatican. The President of Panama on a mission to Francis. He gave him a meaningful gift
The meeting took place less than a week after the US president Donald Trump announced in his inaugural speech that wants to regain control of the Panama Canal.
– We gave it to Panama and we are taking it back – he said, adding that it was a “stupid gift” because currently the trail is exploited mainly by China and it is possible that this country may have control over it.
In immediate response to these words, the President of Panama, Jose Raul Mulino, issued a statement a firm statementin which he stated that he firmly rejects Trump's words.
“The canal is and will remain the property of Panama“- he assured categorically.
As he stated, the transfer of the canal – contrary to Trump's claims – was not anyone's “concession”, but the result of generational struggles that ended with the signing of the Torrijos-Carter Treaty in 1999. Since then, the canal has been under Panamanian rule continuously.
“We are developing it responsibly to serve the world and global trade – including American trade,” he stressed, calling on Trump to communicate on this matter diplomatically.
Donald Trump extends his arms to the Panama Canal. Big money in the background
The Panama Canal is the main connecting waterway Atlantic Ocean and the Pacificthanks to which ships can shorten their route by approx. 13,000 km. In 2024, until September 30 alone, almost 10,000 people passed through it. ships that transported 423 million tons of goods, including food, minerals and industrial products.
The canal is often called the “bridge of the world”. brought in almost $5 billion in total profits last year. The main bone of contention between Panama and the USA are the fees charged to American carriers for using the crossing. Their rates have increased dramatically in recent years, including: due to droughts that reduce the capacity of the canal.