U.S. Raises Security Concerns Over China's Presence at Panama Canal

The U.S. has voiced concerns over China’s growing influence around the Panama Canal, with Mauricio Claver-Carone, U.S. special envoy for Latin America, warning of national security risks. His remarks come ahead of U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s visit to Panama, where he will meet President Jose Raul Mulino and assess China's involvement in key infrastructure projects near the canal.

Rubio’s trip, his first foreign visit, includes stops in El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic, focusing on migration policies and regional security. Claver-Carone emphasized that while Mulino inherited the issue from previous administrations, he must now address the increasing presence of Chinese companies in logistics, telecommunications, and ports.

Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings, which has operated ports at the canal for over 20 years, is under scrutiny despite being a publicly listed company with no direct financial ties to Beijing. However, concerns persist over potential Chinese control, with Rubio stating he has "zero doubt" that China could disrupt the canal in a crisis.

Panama denies yielding control of the canal to China, but an ongoing audit of CK Hutchison’s payments could provide grounds to renegotiate its concession. Despite tensions, experts believe the U.S. and Panama will seek a diplomatic resolution, aligning with President Donald Trump’s focus on securing U.S. interests in the region.

Washington remains wary of China's expanding economic footprint in Latin America, fearing a strategic shift that could challenge U.S. influence. As discussions unfold, the Panama Canal remains a key geopolitical flashpoint in the broader U.S.-China rivalry.