Are 12 countries those invited by Government of Panama to adhere to Canal Permanent Neutrality Treatyan initiative that seeks to reinforce the legal certainty of the global trade and consolidate political support for international lawdetails a note from the EFE agency.
During a series of bilateral meetings in Mexicohe Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha presented the proposal to the diplomatic representatives of Algeria, Australia, Azerbaijan, Slovak Republic, Pakistan, Philippines, Jordan, Vietnam, Ivory Coast, Armenia, Georgia and Serbia. Mexico also received the formal invitation through a meeting with the foreign minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente.
According to the Panamanian Foreign Ministrycited by EFEaccession to the treaty represents “a legal guarantee for global trade” and constitutes “a concrete act of trust towards Panama as a safe, stable and predictable country.” More than 40 States and territories have signed this agreement since 1979consolidating the principle of neutrality of the interoceanic waterway as an axis of international transit.
This diplomatic effort arises in the midst of a scenario of geopolitical tension, marked by recent statements by the current US President Donald Trump. The president suggested that USA could regain control of the Panama Canal in the face of an alleged “evil influence” from China.
The root of these tensions lies in the management of ports close to the canal. Trump noted that two of Panama’s five main ports were under the management of a subsidiary of CK HutchisonChinese conglomerate. However, an unappealable court ruling by February 23 annulled this concession, reconfiguring the business landscape in the area.
Despite the court decision, the controversy continues. CK Hutchison and its subsidiary PPC initiated an arbitration process against the Panamanian state by USD 2,000 million. For his part, the chinese governmentwhich is not part of the Neutrality Treaty, warned that Panama “will pay a high price” in the framework of this legal controversy.
He Panama Canalbuilt at the beginning of the 20th century by USA and managed by that country until 1999has historically been a point of friction between powers. The definitive transfer to Panama closed a stage, but the strategic relevance of the road maintains international attention.
During the fiscal year 2025he Panama Canal recorded a total of 13,404 transitsreflecting a 19.3% increase in relation to the same period of 2024, when 11,240 transits. This growth demonstrates the growing weight of the road in maritime traffic and the importance of guaranteeing its neutrality and stable operation for international trade.
Last year, relations between Panama and USA They went through episodes of tension over the future of the channel. However, officials from both governments have expressed their intention to strengthen ties and maintain cooperation.
The Panamanian strategy of adding new adherents to the Neutrality Treaty It seeks to protect the international status of the channel and send a signal of support for international legality. The outcome of the dispute with CK Hutchison and the response of China They will continue to influence the balance of power in Latin America’s main maritime route.
