The government of Panama has denounced in a letter sent to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres the "threats" of US President Donald Trump, who in his inauguration speech confirmed his intention to "regain control" of the Canal that connects the Atlantic and Pacific.

In the letter, the Panamanian government expresses "concern" about Trump's plans and asks Guterres to convey its position to the 15 member countries of the Security Council.

Trump called the management of the Canal a "senseless gift" from the United States to Panama and that the Canal itself is now being exploited by China. "The Panama Canal - replied Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino - belongs and will continue to belong to Panama" and "it was not a concession or a gift from the United States".

For its part, Beijing has assured that it "has never interfered" in the affairs of the Panama Canal. "We agree with Panamanian President Mulino that the sovereignty and independence of Panama are not negotiable and that the canal is not under the direct or indirect control of any great power," commented Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning.

Russia also demands that the American president and the Panamanian government "respect the current international legal regime of this vital waterway" which must remain "safe and open".

(Unioneonline/lf)

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