Panama does not intend to discuss the issue of the sovereignty of the Panama Canal, as we are informed by "Interfax" agency, Foreign Minister of the country Javier Martinez Acha Vazquez stated that. "The sovereignty of the Panama Canal is not subject to discussion.
"Our canal is meant to serve humanity and its trade. This is one of the greatest values that we offer to the world," CNN quoted the minister as saying. "The only hands that control the canal are the Panamanians, and that will always be the case."
He made this statement after the day before, the newly elected US President Donald Trump told reporters that he is discussing the issue of the canal with the Panamanian authorities, not excluding the use of force to return the canal to American control.