PANAMA CITY: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio cautioned Panama about China's influence and control over the Panama Canal, calling the situation "unacceptable" and said that the US will take "necessary measures" if changes are not made.
During a meeting with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino and Foreign Minister Javier Martinez on Sunday in Panama City, Rubio conveyed US President Donald Trump's concerns.
US President Donald 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," State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement.
Rubio made it clear that the current situation is "unacceptable" and in the case of "absent immediate changes, it would require the United States to take measures necessary to protect its rights under the Treaty," concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal. Rubio arrived in Panama on Saturday, marking his first trip since holding the job as US top diplomat.
Rubio's choice to visit Central America - Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic - is intentional and meant to drive forward the Trump agenda by "paying closer attention to our own neighbourhood," CNN reported.
Trump in his inaugural address on January 20, claimed that China is "operating" the Panama Canal and US is going to "take it back" as the US has been treated 'unfairly.' (ANI)
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