Panama files formal complaint with UN over Trump’s threat to seize its canal

The Panamanian government has filed a complaint with the United Nations over US President Donald Trump’s threat to seize the Panama Canal and ordered an audit of a Hong Kong-linked company that operates two ports on the vital waterway.

In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the Panamanian government referred to an article of the UN Charter that prohibits any member from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of another state.

The letter, distributed to journalists, urged the Secretary-General to refer the issue to the UN Security Council, without requesting a meeting.

In his inaugural address on Monday, Trump repeated his accusations that China is controlling the Panama Canal through its growing presence around the waterway, which the United States handed over to the Panamanian state in late 1999.

“We didn’t give it to China, we gave it to Panama, and we’re getting it back,” Trump said.

On the other hand, the Panamanian Comptroller’s Office subsequently announced a comprehensive audit of the Panama Ports Company with the aim of ensuring the efficient and transparent use of public resources.

The Panama Ports Company, which is part of Hutchison Ports, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings, operates the ports of Balboa and Cristobal on either side of the canal.

The goal is to determine whether the company is complying with its franchise agreements, including reporting income, payments and contributions to the state, the comptroller’s office said.

Panamanian President Jose Raul Molino denied that any other country was interfering in the canal, which he said operated on the principle of neutrality.

“The canal is and will remain Panama-owned,” Molino said in response to Trump’s threats.

For weeks, Republicans have been ramping up pressure over the canal, through which 40% of US container traffic passes, refusing to rule out the use of military force to retake it.

The Panama Ports Corporation’s concession was extended for 25 years in 2021.

The United States is the main user of the canal, followed by China.

Since 2000, the Panama Canal has generated more than $30 billion for the state treasury, including about $2.5 billion during the last fiscal year.