The Government of Panama formally expressed its rejection of the statements of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, who during his inauguration speech said that his country “would recover the Panama Canal.”

Through a letter sent by the Panamanian ambassador to the United Nations, Eloy Alfaro de Alba, to Secretary General António Guterres, Panama made clear its concern about what it considers a possible threat to its sovereignty. The document underlines that, according to the UN Charter, countries must refrain from resorting to the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State.

“In this sense, I have the honor to convey the declaration of his Excellency José Raúl Mulino, President of Panama, rejecting in their entirety the words expressed by President Donald Trump in his inaugural speech regarding Panama and its channel,” the letter says.

Likewise, President Mulino reiterated in the statement his position expressed on December 22: “The Canal is and will continue to be of Panama, and its administration will remain under Panamanian control, with respect to its permanent neutrality. There is no presence of any nation in the world that interferes in our administration.”

Ambassador Alfaro de Alba also asked the Secretary-General to convey this concern to the 15 members of the UN Security Council.