Panama Exits Belt and Road, U.S. Offers Support

Panama has decided not to renew its 2017 Memorandum of Understanding with China for the Belt and Road Initiative, making it the first Latin American country to exit the program. President José Raúl Mulino reaffirmed Panama's sovereignty over the Panama Canal, amid concerns from the U.S. about China's influence over the waterway. This decision followed a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who emphasized that the U.S. would not allow China to continue its growing control over the canal area. The U.S. has expressed willingness to support new investments in Panama, aiming to reinforce strategic relations and curb Chinese influence. Panama's withdrawal from the initiative is seen as a significant setback for China's geopolitical ambitions in the region. The move also aligns with broader U.S. efforts to counter Chinese expansion in the Western Hemisphere.