Supreme Court of Panama's Judiciary rules on Canal

Chinese Contract At Panama Canal Ruled Unconstitutional In Win For Trump's 'Donroe Doctrine'

Another massive defeat for China's interests in the Western Hemisphere, and another 'win' for Trump's "Donroe Doctrine"...

The Supreme Court of Panama has just issued a final decision to void the contract renewal for Hong Kong's CK Hutchison's subsidiary to operate two Panama Canal ports, in a much anticipated landmark case driven by claims of unconstitutionality and financial irregularities.

The top court has found irregularities in the 25-year extension of the concession granted in 2021 and found CK Hutchison's management shortchanged Panama by roughly $1.3 billion.

Republic of Panama, Judicial Branch--
STATEMENT

The Full Bench of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Republic of Panama hereby informs the general public that during its ordinary session held today, January 29, 2026, after extensive deliberation and discussion of Filing No. 119313-2025 and Filing No. 17547-2025 — both consisting of constitutional challenges against Law No. 5 of January 16, 1997, its addenda, and the extension agreement — and in fulfillment of its duty as guardian of the Political Constitution, it decided to declare them UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

U.S. and Panama - Making the Americas Great Again

Communists Commence Fierce Battle For Control Of Critical Canal

Take that, China!

Just when it looked like China might be thwarting American influence in the Panama Canal, a rather decisive decision has been put forth.

According to a report from DOD News, it would appear that a major deal was struck between the United States and Panama, which will undoubtedly enrage the communists in Beijing.

“The U.S. and Panama signed a memorandum of understanding related to cooperative security activities in the region and that the signing of an additional declaration related to the security and operation of the Panama Canal would be forthcoming,” the DOD remarked.

“We want this to be a golden age for our countries, together, and for this hemisphere … We want – in short – not only to make America great again, but to make the Americas great again,” Hegseth brayed.

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Policy shift at the Panama Canal

Trump directs U.S. troops to bolster Panama Canal presence

President Donald Trump's latest directive to the military signals potential changes in U.S. involvement at the Panama Canal.

According to Daily Caller, Trump has instructed U.S. military officials to develop plans for increasing American troop presence at the Panama Canal, with options ranging from enhanced cooperation with Panama to potential canal seizure.

The military planning directive follows Trump's March 6 congressional address where he emphasized reclaiming control of the vital waterway. U.S. Southern Command is now evaluating various scenarios, though officials indicate that any use of military force would depend heavily on continued cooperation from Panama's military forces.

Recent developments suggest some scaling back of Chinese involvement, with Panama's President Mulino announcing the country won't renew its Belt and Road Initiative agreement. Additionally, American investment firm Blackrock has agreed to purchase Chinese-operated ports for $22.8 billion.

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Panama Canal Reclamation

Reclaiming Panama Canal

The White House has directed the U.S. military to draw up options to increase the American troop presence in Panama to achieve President Donald Trump’s goal of “reclaiming” the Panama Canal, according to two U.S. officials familiar with the planning.

In his joint address to Congress last week, Trump said that “to further enhance our national security, my administration will be reclaiming the Panama Canal.” Since then, administration officials have not said what “reclaiming” means.

U.S. Southern Command is developing potential plans from partnering more closely with Panamanian security forces to the less likely option of U.S. troops’ seizing the Panama Canal by force, the officials said.

Whether military force is used, the officials added, depends on how much Panamanian security forces agree to partner with the United States.

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Blackrock make deal for Panama's Ports

BlackRock Strikes Deal for Panama Ports After U.S. Pressure

$22.8 billion acquisition from Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison includes dozens of other ports across the globe

A consortium of investors led by BlackRock agreed to buy majority stakes in ports on either end of the Panama Canal, putting U.S. firms in control of two ports that President Trump raised as a security concern because of their connection to china.

“China is operating the Panama Canal. And we didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back,” said Trump during his inaugural address. At a January press conference ahead of his inauguration, Trump would not rule out using either military force or economic coercion to take control of the canal once again.

The deal announced Tuesday called for BlackRock and a consortium of fellow investors to spend $22.8 billion to buy the ports of Balboa and Cristobal on either end of the canal from CK Hutchison, a Hong Kong company. It said the deal is an “agreement in principle.”

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US govt claims free passage through Panama Canal; Authority denies changes

The Department of State announced U.S. ships can now go through the Panama Canal for FREE

No more “charge fees” issued by the government of Panama

Millions of dollars per year will be saved. This comes days after President Trump said he wants to regain control of the Panama Canal. This guy is getting results at every turn.

Panama denied the State Department's claim on Wednesday that the country had agreed to stop charging fees for US government ships to transit the Panama Canal.

The Panama Canal Authority stated that it had made no changes to the tolls or fees and was ready to discuss the matter with the US.

Curbing China's BRI influence in the Americas

Marco Rubio's diplomatic breakthrough with Panama reduces China's influence

"In a pivotal diplomatic achievement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio successfully persuaded Panama to end its association with China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), according to Breitbart.

This decision represents a significant geopolitical shift that could diminish China's influence in Panama and transform regional relations in Latin America.

Panama's initial engagement with the BRI dates back to 2018 when it became the first Latin American nation to participate in the global infrastructure development strategy spearheaded by China.

This move came just a year after Panama had severed its longstanding diplomatic ties with Taiwan to align with Beijing. The BRI agreement promised infrastructural investments from China, raising the stakes for U.S.-Panama relations.

The two leaders found consensus on enhancing regional security collaboration. They agreed on measures to curb illegal migration through the Darian Gap, a notorious passage that has been a significant route for undocumented migration.

The meeting also fostered talks on boosting U.S. investments in Panama, which could serve to counterbalance past economic dependence on Chinese projects."

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Big Panama Win

Panama Says It Will Not Renew ‘Belt and Road’ Agreement With China After Rubio Visit

Secretary of State Rubio meeting with Panama's President

The announcement followed President Jose Mulino’s meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Panama City on Sunday.

Panama President José Raúl Mulino said on Sunday that his country will not renew its memorandum of understanding with China to be a part of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Speaking to reporters, Mulino said the agreement is due for renewal in two years and his government is looking into the possibility of terminating it earlier, according to local media reports.

“We are going to study the possibility of whether it can be finished earlier or not. I think it is due for renewal in one or two years,” he said in Spanish.

Mulino added that Panama would expand its July 2024 memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to assist U.S. authorities on illegal immigration issues.

Read more at Epoch times

Return the Panama Canal

Trump threatens Panama over exorbitant fees

Trump Threatens to Take Back Control of Panama Canal

President-elect Trump took issue with fees charged to use the Panama Canal, a vital shipping route, on Saturday night, claiming that he will demand oversight of the waterway be given back to the U.S. when he returns to office if it’s not changed.

“The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama by the U.S,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “This complete ‘rip-off’ of our Country will immediately stop….”

Panama charges tariffs for boats and ships to pass through its canal. Fees vary based on the size and purpose of vessels, and the charges range from as low as $0.50 to as high as $300,000.

“If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us, in full, and without question,” Trump continued. “To the Officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly!

The U.S. uses the Panama Canal more than any other country. Control of the canal was transferred from the U.S. to the Central American country in 1999 as a result of a 1979 treaty under President Jimmy Carter, which Trump said was a foolish decision.

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We continue to allow countries to rip us off all over the world. This will stop under Trump's America First policy.

If you subscribe to the Epoch Times, this article is very informative as to what is going on...lots to do with China.