Since taking office in January, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly accused the country of relinquishing control of the Panama Canal to China. Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino and Beijing officials deny the claims.

Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] PANAMA CITY (AP) — Panama’s ...

Trump’s tariff threats and political pressures are believed to be reasons third countries agreed to receive deportees.

The Trump administration threatening partners in the Americas may prove to be short-term tactical approach but it will not prove to be a viable long-term strategy for engaging economically with the region.

Prior to the origination of the plans for the Panama Canal vessels of trade had few options of getting goods from Europe and Asia to N. America.

Panama and China have hit back at American claims about Beijing's influence over the Panama Canal, saying they were "lies". US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he wants the US to regain control of the canal and this week US Southern Command head Alvin Holsey visited the Central American nation to step up the pressure.

Since returning to office, President Trump has made repeated claims that China operates the Panama Canal and threatened to take it back from the Panama Canal Authority, which has controlled it since 1999.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to the region and warned of Chinese encroachment. Several Latin American countries expanded trade and investment relations with China.

Hundreds of migrants, many from the Middle East and China, are in custody in Panama after they were deported from the U.S. as part of an agreement between the two nations. Held in a hotel in Panama City,