Panama has decided not to renew its memorandum of understanding with China on the Belt and Road Initiative, marking a significant shift in its foreign policy. The move follows increased U.S. pressure, as Washington works to curb Beijing’s growing influence in Latin America.
This decision came as Senator Marco Rubio visited Panama to discuss key issues like the Panama Canal’s operations and migration through the Darien Gap, a critical transit point for migrants heading to the U.S.
Listen to the announcement from the President of Panama, José Raúl Molino:
| Luego de la reunión con el secretario de Estado de Estados Unidos, Marco Rubio, el presidente de Panamá, José Raúl Molino, informó que su gobierno no renovará el memorando de entendimiento sobre la "Ruta de la Seda" firmado con China.
"Vamos a estudiar la posibilidad… pic.twitter.com/mxGjyHzjpl
— PanAm Post Español (@PanAmPost_es) February 2, 2025
This will be seen as a major victory for Donald Trump’s foreign policy.
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Comments
“Panama has decided not to renew its memorandum of understanding with China”
Did Trump make an offer they couldn’t refuse?
How ‘bou dat!
“If you won’t share your toys, I’m going to put them away.”
What a difference a, errrr, thirteen days make.
A revival of the Monroe Doctrine?? Time will tell.
Speaking LOUDLY and carrying a big stick.
The Hemispheric Hegemony of the USA is being reasserted under Trump. Those doubtful about the ability of the USA to do so quickly and effectively are being shown in real time that the missing element was lack of will among prior administrations.
I think with the Obama/Biden Administration it wasn’t a lack of will but a purposeful sellout to the CCP. In particular, Biden needed his 10%.
It’s an encouraging turn of events, but China’s not going to turn tail and run away from this hemisphere anytime soon. Recall the following paragraph from an article that Leslie Eastman linked earlier today in support of her observation that “China’s national security laws now extend to Hong Kong” (https://www.cfr.org/article/who-controls-panama-canal):
Over the past two decades, China has developed close economic ties with many Latin American countries. Beijing is currently South America’s top trading partner and a major source of foreign direct investment and energy and infrastructure lending, including through its Belt and Road Initiative—of which Panama is a member. China has also been involved in several infrastructure projects in Panama, including the construction of a cruise-ship terminal and a convention center.
China has been able to make such investments in part due to USA allowing it. Some of the reason is a sort of neglectful lethargy based on wokiesta projection of ‘guilt’ about past USA actions in our Hemisphere. Some is simple strategic stupidity of not ensuring our own natural hegemonic area was sewn up before we went further abroad.
IMO what we are seeing is a strategic reset. The USA is shrugging off the shackles of the post WWII and post Cold War era as the ‘indispensable Nation.’ Those shackles caused a massive drain on US blood and treasure to meet that burden. With the 2nd Trump admin we are seeing the abandonment of that burden and a return to more traditional role of the US. Partly this shift is a recognition that we are in a multi polar world and can no longer afford (never could really) to be/remain Team America; World Police.
“but China’s not going to turn tail and run away from this hemisphere anytime soon”
Thanks. We all thought that this win meant total victory, now and for all time. Really.
Just stop with this crap, you dime-store analyst. Most people here are aware just how deeply China’s claws are stuck into Central and South America. This is a first step at rooting them out, nothing more… but it’s pretty damned impressive for two weeks work.
Annex: A
1. “Canal” includes the existing Panama
Canal, the entrances thereto and the territorial
seas of the Republic of Panama adjacent
thereto, as defined on the map annexed hereto
(Annex B), and any other interoceanic
waterway in which the United States of America is a participant or in which the United
States of America has participated in connection
with the construction or financing, that may be
operated wholly or partially within the territory
or the Republic of Panama, the entrances thereto
and the territorial seas adjacent thereto.
https://pancanal.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/NeutralityTreaty.pdf
Paraphrasing Theodore Roosevelt: “Walk softly and carry a spike club.”
Reading the Reuters story (linked above) the outcome of the talks does not sound as positive as does this summary of it. The agreement was renewed in 2021, pending an audit. The Panamanian president said he will review the issue and perhaps a early termination of the contract would be possible.
Now maybe that Reuters article is a bit behind the times (by hours) and further has been learned. Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched.
Not to nitpick, but “Senator Marco Rubio” should be Sec. of State Marco Rubio.
— PanAm Post Español (@PanAmPost_es) February 2, 2025
Uh, how about using English?!
Why should the president of Panama make an announcement in English?
What deviation of your brain would make you think they were talking to the president of Panama and not the author of this article?
The author should have included translation.
Now, go away, Millstone
I’m all for The United States exerting it’s influence in the Western Hemisphere for security purposes but expecting all countries to speak English is a little much. It would not be a bad idea to understand English as a second language since it’s widely used in business, though.
Per Google Translate (so take with a pinch of salt), this was the X post (you truncated the second paragraph):
After the meeting with the United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, the President of Panama, José Raúl Molino, reported that his government will not renew the memorandum of understanding on the “Silk Road” signed with China.
“We are going to study the possibility of whether it can be finished sooner or not. I think it’s up to him in a year or two to renew it, “he explained.
SoS Rubio has been in his office two weeks, and, we’re already seeing positive results from #47’s foreign policy.
Meanwhile, Anthony Blinken is stares off into space, disillusioned and depressed.
Finally! A slight glimmer of common sense is peeping out beneath the global pile of sch*te caused by governments worldwide.