Panama has formally lodged a complaint with the United Nations over repeated threats from former US President Donald Trump to take control of the Panama Canal. In a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the Panamanian government expressed concerns about the potential violation of international laws and principles.

According to a Reuters report, the letter specifically cited provisions within the UN Charter that prohibit any member state from using threats or force against the territorial integrity or political independence of another nation. The letter, sent to journalists on Tuesday, January 21, requested that the matter be forwarded to the United Nations Security Council rather than simply calling for a meeting with the Secretary-General.

The controversy stems from Trump’s remarks during a rally in Arizona on December 23. In his speech, Trump stated that the Panama Canal had originally been handed over to Panama and its people as an act of US generosity. He further claimed that this transfer was conditional upon agreements made with the Panamanian government at the time. Trump asserted, "We didn’t give it to China; we gave it to Panama. And we’re taking it back."

In response, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino refuted any claims of foreign interference in the canal’s operations. Mulino emphasized that the canal belongs to Panama and will remain under its sovereign control. He noted that Hutchison Ports, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings, manages the Balboa and Cristobal ports on either end of the canal. In 2021, the concession agreement for these operations was extended by an additional 25 years.

Panama’s Comptroller General's Office has stated that it regularly monitors the compliance of the concession agreements, ensuring that revenue, payments, and contributions to the state are adequately reported. The United States remains the largest user of the canal, followed by China. Since Panama assumed control of the waterway in 2000, the canal has contributed over $30 billion to the national treasury, including approximately $2.5 billion in the last fiscal year alone.

The Panamanian government’s letter to the UN highlights concerns over the implications of Trump’s statements, which it views as undermining Panama’s sovereignty and threatening its economic stability. The canal, a critical global trade route, has long been a source of national pride and a symbol of Panama’s independence.

The escalating rhetoric has drawn international attention, with analysts warning of the potential geopolitical consequences of such claims. By involving the UN Security Council, Panama seeks to reinforce international norms and emphasize the importance of peaceful dispute resolution in accordance with established global frameworks.

This development underscores the enduring significance of the Panama Canal in global trade and geopolitics. As Panama continues to navigate its responsibilities as the canal’s custodian, its leaders remain steadfast in defending the nation’s sovereignty and upholding international law.