Panama Canal Authority Clarifies No Free Passage for US Military Vessels Amid Controversy

On the evening of March 5, the Panama Canal Authority issued a statement in response to remarks made by a White House spokesperson regarding the free passage of US military vessels through the Panama Canal. The Authority reiterated that there have been no changes to the tolls or passage rights for the canal.

On February 5, the US State Department announced via social media that government vessels could now transit the canal without charge, claiming this would save the US government millions annually. The Panama Canal Authority quickly denied this assertion, firmly stating that no such arrangement had been made.

Panamanian President Laurentino Cortizo deemed the State Department's statement as "completely erroneous and unacceptable" during a press conference on February 6. He emphasized that Panama would not base its diplomatic relations on misinformation and demanded corrections from the US government.

Additionally, on March 5, President Cortizo took to social media to counter former President Donald Trump's claims that the US was "reclaiming" the Panama Canal, labeling such statements as "lies." Cortizo asserted that Panama has never negotiated such matters with Secretary of State Marco Rubio or any US representatives, rejecting what he called an insult to Panama's sovereignty.

In a speech to Congress on March 4, Trump stated, "To further strengthen our national security, my administration will reclaim the Panama Canal. We have already begun this process," criticizing the treaty signed during Carter's presidency that returned control of the canal to Panama.