Tue Jan 21 20:38:54 UTC 2025: ## Trump’s Panama Canal Claim Sparks International Tensions

**Washington, D.C.** – Newly inaugurated U.S. President Donald Trump’s declaration that the United States will “take back” the Panama Canal has ignited a diplomatic firestorm. Trump, in his inaugural address, reiterated his claim that the canal, transferred to Panama in 1977, is vital to American interests and that the U.S. will reclaim it, citing alleged overcharges for American ships and China’s involvement in its operations.

This statement has drawn immediate condemnation from Russia, which has warned against any attempt by the U.S. to seize control of the canal through military or economic means. Alexander Shchetinin, director of the Russian foreign ministry’s Latin American department, stated that the canal legally belongs to Panama and that Russia supports the canal’s neutrality and open access. The statement comes amidst Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

Panama has also firmly rejected Trump’s assertions. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino previously labeled the country’s sovereignty over the Panama Canal as “non-negotiable.” He emphasized that every part of the canal and its surrounding area remains firmly under Panamanian control.

Trump’s threat to reclaim the Panama Canal, a critical maritime trade route for the U.S., adds another layer of complexity to already strained international relations. The canal facilitates approximately 40% of U.S. container ship traffic. The incident highlights the potential for escalating tensions over the canal’s future. The White House has yet to respond to the international criticism.

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