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February 3, 2025

Trump Doubles Down on Threat to Illegally Seize Panama Canal over China Ties
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President Trump has reiterated his threat to retake the Panama Canal,
hours after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Panama on his
first foreign trip in his new post. According to the State Department,
Rubio demanded "immediate changes" in Panama to reduce China's influence
in the country, including at the canal. Panama's President José Raúl
Mulino spoke on Sunday.

President José Raúl Mulino: "The sovereignty of Panama is not up for
debate. That is very important. … There is no doubt that the canal is
operated by our country, and it will continue to be so."



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