ZH

Everything changed in 2017 when Panama signed on with the Chinese regime’s Belt and Road Initiative. The initiative required the Panamanian government to recognize Taiwan as part of China—much to the surprise and concern of the United States, which has positioned itself as an ally of Taiwan.

Panama then rescinded the concession on the land where the Sola family had planned to spend $30 million on a cruise port.

Instead, Panama nationalized the project, gave a concession to a Chinese company, and paid it $300 million to build the cruise port.

Additionally, the land that would have been used to build a marina was designated as an embassy of the People’s Republic of China.

** UPDATE **

Further South, Panamanian President Molino called the US State Department’s post on X on Wednesday that Panama had agreed to give US government vessels free passage through the Panama Canal full of lies and falsehoods and he said there was no deal.  Trump and Molino are expected to have a phone call later today.  Is the Fuerza Publica de la Republica de Panama going to board a US destroyer when it wants to use the Panama Canal without paying its regular fee?

  • US destroyer to Panama Canal authorities: “This is the USS Intimidator and we want to enter the canal”
  • Panama Canal authorities: “That’s OK, but you first have to pay the usual fee”
  • US destroyer: “No, we don’t and what are going to do about that?”