Panamas President Jos Ral Mulino declared on March 27, 2025, that no United States military bases will return, responding to whispers of American pressure.
His statement, delivered in a press conference, counters threats from United States President Donald Trump to reclaim the Panama Canal.Mulino insists Panamas sovereignty remains non-negotiable, rooted in a history of resisting foreign control.
The Panama Canal, built by the United States from 1904 to 1914 at a cost of $375 million ($8.6 billion in todays dollars), handles 5% of global trade today.Panama assumed full control in 1999 after decades of United States dominance, including 14 bases with 65,000 troops at their peak.
Trump now claims China influences the canal, a charge Panama denies, and seeks to restore United States authority, even hinting at force.Panama lacks an army, disbanded in 1990 after the 1989 United States invasion to oust Manuel Noriega, leaving 25,000 personnel for security.
Its $800 million defense budget pales against the United States s $877 billion, raising doubts about Panamas ability to resist.Panamas Canal ControversyThe 1977 Neutrality Treaty ties United States protection to the canals openness, complicating Mulinos stance.
Tensions flared in December 2024 when Trump vowed to retake the canal, built with 5,600 lives lost, now generating $4.6 billion yearly for Panama.Panama Resists United States Canal Push With Little Clout.
(Photo Internet reproduction)Recent reports suggest United States Southern Command explores options, from cooperation to troop increases, amid claims of a letter proposing joint canal management.
Mulino dismisses such talk as baseless.Historically, Panama fought hard for independence, with 1964 riots killing 21 locals over United States control marking a turning point.
The United States once proposed a drug-fighting center post-handover, but Panama refused.Today, Trumps focus reflects fears of Chinas $150 billion investments in Latin America, though Panama recently rejected Chinas Belt and Road Initiative.
Mulinos pledge carries weight for Panamas 4.4 million people, reliant on the canal for 6% of GDP.Yet, without military might, Panama leans on diplomacy and its strategic value.
Observers question if this defiance holds against a superpower, as the canals future hangs in a delicate balance of power and pride.