A possible seizure of the Panama Canal by the US military would be contrary to international laws and would lead to US occupation of Panama, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing retired US Army General Barry McCaffrey.
McCaffrey said calls by US President-elect Donald Trump to regain control of the Panama Canal look like a return to the mid-19th century. The military officer questioned how a foreign state illegally controlling Panama could run the canal without Panamanians.
In early January, Trump said giving control of the Panama Canal to Panama in 1999 “was foolishness.”
The Republican said the country had allegedly violated “every clause of the agreement” after handing over the canal to it. He said Panamanian authorities charge the US too much for warships to pass through. Trump said:
“They laugh at us because they think we are stupid, but we are no longer stupid. The Panama Canal is being discussed with them right now.”
However, Panama’s foreign ministry responded by saying that its sovereignty over the canal is not being discussed.
Earlier, Donald Trump said in an interview with NBC News that Mexico and Canada could have joined the US instead of receiving subsidies. Trump has already threatened to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all goods from Mexico and Canada because of the flow of illegal migrants and drug smuggling.
Trump also said that for the US “ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity,” announcing the appointment of an ambassador to Denmark. He had previously expressed interest in buying Greenland from Denmark in 2019, but was turned down. In the coming year, Trump was also indicated that the island is not and will not be for sale, but Denmark could co-operate more with the US.
On January 15, Greenland’s Minister of Business, Trade, Mineral Resources, Justice and Gender Equality Naaja Nathanielsen said the country’s reluctance to become part of the US. Nathanielsen noted that Greenland observes high environmental standards, has rich geological resources, and is open to close business cooperation with the US.
Earlier media reported that Trump published a map of the United States with “annexed” Canada and Greenland. At the same time on the image marked only two capitals – Washington and the Greenlandic city of Nuuk.
The inauguration of the President of the US will take place on January 20, 2025 in front of the Capitol building in Washington.
