Angry Panamanians Burn Flags Outside U.S. Embassy – Denounce Trump’s Canal Threat as ‘Imperial Delusion’ (VIDEO)
Some Panamanians are clearly not looking forward to the Trump presidency.
Dozens of protesters gathered outside the U.S. Embassy in Panama City on Tuesday to denounce Trump’s threat to take back the Panama Canal unless serious changes are made.
According to AFP, demonstrators chanted slogans such as “Trump, animal, leave the canal alone” and carried reading “Donald Trump, public enemy of Panama.”
Some even burned flags with his face on it.
“Panama is a sovereign territory and the canal here is Panamanian,” Saul Mendez, the leader of a construction union organized the protest, was quoted as saying.
“Donald Trump and his imperial delusion cannot claim even a single centimeter of land in Panama,” he added.
Protesta de sindicatos frente a la embajada de EE.UU. en contra de Trump en Panamá
Sindicatos de trabajadores de Panamá se manifestaron este martes frente a la embajada de Estados Unidos en la capital panameña en rechazo a las declaraciones del presidente estadounidense… pic.twitter.com/uiGGunFsfj
— EL DEBER (@grupoeldeber) December 24, 2024
Trabajadores panameños queman la bandera de EEUU frente a la embajada tras amenazas de @realDonaldTrump de retomar el control sobre el canal
️ “Ningún gringo invasor puede amenazarnos. Los panameños vamos a defender nuestra soberanía y territorio”
Panamá pic.twitter.com/yapc7O7gCz
— Agencia Venezuela News (@VNVenezuelanews) December 24, 2024
The Panama Canal was constructed by the U.S. in 1914 and remained under its control until 1999 after former President Jimmy Carter agreed a deal to hand it over to the Panama.
However, Trump is warning that the Panamanian government is taking advantage of the situation by charging America exorbitant fees and allowing China to expand its influence over the canal’s operations.
Speaking at his first post-election rally in Arizona this weekend, Trump accused Panama of charging “ridiculous” fees for Americans ships passing through the canal, which was formerly owned by the United States.
“Our Navy and commerce have been treated in a very unfair and injudicious way,” Trump said during his address.
“The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, highly unfair, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama.”
“It’s going to stop. The United States has a big and vested interest in the secure, efficient and reliable operation of the Panama Canal.”
A beautiful morning in Phoenix, Arizona at @TPUSA #AMFEST2024. THANK YOU! pic.twitter.com/bMGsEBQGvl
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 22, 2024
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino said in a video posted to social media that “every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent area belongs to Panama and will continue to belong to Panama” and that the terms of the previous deal are “irreversible.”
Mensaje del Presidente José Raúl Mulino pic.twitter.com/DMXU8qAuNT
— José Raúl Mulino (@JoseRaulMulino) December 22, 2024
“We’ll see about that!” Trump responded!
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