Panama Rejects U.S. Claim Of Free Canal Passage, Calls It “Intolerable & False”

Panama has strongly denied U.S. claims that its government had agreed to let American vessels transit the Panama Canal for free, calling the statement “intolerable” and based on falsehoods.

Since U.S. President Donald Trump took over office in his second term, he has repeatedly criticised Panama for charging high fees from the U.S. Navy vessels to use the canal.

He also threatened to take back control of the canal which he describes favours Chinese interests, and warned of “very powerful action” against Chinese influence in Panama. After these statements, tensions between the two countries have escalated.

On Thursday, Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino criticised the U.S. State Department after it claimed on a social media post that American government vessels would now pass through the canal without paying tolls, a move that could save millions of dollars annually.

Mulino rejected the statement, saying he would not tolerate bilateral relations built …

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