Panama Marks 25th Anniversary of Canal Handover

Panama celebrated the 25th anniversary of the handover of the Panama Canal from the United States, coinciding with the death of former President Jimmy Carter, who negotiated the 1999 agreement. President José Raúl Mulino expressed mixed emotions during the ceremony, honoring Carter's legacy while reaffirming Panama's control over the canal amidst threats from President-elect Donald Trump. Trump has criticized increased fees for canal usage and has demanded, if situations do not improve, that the canal be returned to the U.S., labeling the original treaty 'foolish'. Mulino did not directly address Trump's remarks but stated confidently, 'There are no hands involved in the canal other than Panama's.' Legal experts emphasize that the current treaties make it impossible to reverse the handover, assuring that Panama's sovereignty over the canal is secure. The ceremony underscored the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Panama while celebrating the milestone of independent control over the crucial waterway.