PANAMA CITY – The Trump administration’s top diplomat Marco Rubio began his first foreign visit in Panama on Sunday, where he was set to meet Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino to discuss U.S. concerns about Chinese companies potentially affecting U.S. shipping access around the Panama Canal and migration issues in the region.
Rubio is touring Central America and the Caribbean on his first foray as secretary of state as he seeks to refocus U.S. diplomacy on the Western Hemisphere, in part to recruit help in stemming migration toward the southern border.
It also reflects a desire to counter China’s growing diplomatic influence in Latin America. President Donald Trump upon taking office last month threatened to take control of Panama Canal, built by the U.S. in the early 20th century and handed over to Panama under a 1977 Treaty, claiming the canal is being operated by China. The comments were followed by a public backlash, and Panama strongly rebuked Trump’s threats.
China says it plays no part in operating the canal and that it respects Panama’s sovereignty and independence over the waterway.
The canal is operated by the Panama Canal Authority, an autonomous agency overseen by the Panamanian government.
Rubio, a longtime China hawk during his Senate career, said last week that China could use ports to shut down the canal, a vital route for U.S. shipping, in the event of a conflict between Beijing and Washington.
Rubio was greeted at Mulino’s residence by Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier MartÃnez-Acha Vásquez ahead of his expected meeting with the president.
Mulino has said the ownership of the canal is not on the table in the talks with Rubio.
Rubio also plans to discuss migration issues in Panama, which cooperates with the U.S. on preventing migration across the Darien gap, the route across Panama’s rugged southern border with Colombia used by human traffickers and drug smugglers.
Rubio has ordered the State Department to put migration issues at the center of its diplomacy with countries in the region. Officials say Rubio will use the trip to smooth the acceptance of U.S. deportation flights to the region. REUTERS
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