Tensions Rise as Panama Withdraws from China's BRI Amidst Panama Canal Dispute
The withdrawal of Panama from the BRI has significant implications for the region, with the US and China vying for influence over the critical Panama Canal. The dispute highlights the complexities of international relations and the challenges of navigating competing economic and geopolitical interests.
China has rejected accusations of interfering in the Panama Canal and affirmed its respect for Panama's sovereignty over the infrastructure, amidst a diplomatic row with the United States. The dispute began when Panama announced its withdrawal from China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a decision China claims was coerced by the US.
The withdrawal has sparked concerns over the increasing tensions between China and the US, with China accusing the US of waging a campaign of "difamación y sabotaje" against its BRI project. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, termed Panama's decision as "irresponsable" and "prejuiciosa", claiming that the US used pressure and coercion to force Panama to renege on its commitment to the BRI.
Panama's President, José Raúl Mulino, confirmed the country's official withdrawal from the BRI, denying that the decision was made at the behest of the US. Instead, he accused former US President Donald Trump of threatening to reclaim control of the Panama Canal, which led to an inspection of the canal's operating company, Hutchison Holdings.
The Panama Canal, a critical waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, has been a focal point of geopolitical tensions between China and the US. China's BRI, launched in 2013, aims to promote regional infrastructure development, but the US has raised concerns over China's growing influence in the region.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the withdrawal of Panama from the BRI will impact the already strained relations between China and the US. The move is seen as a significant development in the ongoing competition for influence in the region, with potential implications for global trade and economic cooperation.
