What Rubio just pulled off in Panama will have global consequences

Secretary of State Marco Rubio successfully persuaded Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino to forgo renewing the country’s agreement with China on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)—a major geopolitical shift in Latin America’s relations with Beijing.

Mulino confirmed on Sunday that Panama would not extend its BRI agreement, following discussions with Rubio during his diplomatic visit to the country, according to Baha Breaking News.

Panama had originally made history in 2018 by becoming the first Latin American country to sign onto China’s Belt and Road Initiative, just a year after severing diplomatic ties with Taiwan and formally recognizing Beijing. This move marked a major foreign policy victory for China, as Taiwan had previously maintained diplomatic recognition in Panama as a sovereign state. The New York Times reported that the 2017 shift was a significant step in China’s strategic expansion in the Western Hemisphere, aimed at countering American influence.

During the meeting between Rubio and Mulino, discussions centered on Panama’s sovereignty, national security, and economic partnerships with the United States. According to Baha Breaking News, Rubio informed Mulino that President Donald Trump viewed China’s influence over the Panama Canal as a possible violation of the Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal. However, Mulino pushed back against concerns about Chinese control, emphasizing that “Panama’s control over the canal was non-negotiable.”

In addition, Mulino confirmed that an audit was underway regarding two Chinese-operated ports in Panama, suggesting that the findings could lead to further policy changes in the future. The Panamanian government’s stance signals a reassessment of its economic and diplomatic ties with China, despite previous engagement in infrastructure projects under the BRI framework.

Beyond the Belt and Road decision, the two leaders also reached an agreement to bolster regional security, curb illegal migration through the Darién Gap, and promote investment opportunities for U.S. businesses. These efforts align with Washington’s broader strategy to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties with Latin America amid growing global competition.

According to Reuters, Mulino confirmed that “a broad agreement between Panama and China to contribute to China’s silk road program” would not be renewed. He even suggested that Panama would consider terminating the agreement ahead of schedule, underscoring a more assertive stance toward reducing Chinese influence.

A statement from State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce further reinforced this position, revealing that Rubio had warned Mulino of the risks posed by China’s “position of influence and control” over the Panama Canal, which he deemed “a threat to the canal.”

The decision to distance Panama from the BRI has been met with praise from U.S. foreign policy experts. Michael Sobolik, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, took to X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate the move, declaring, “This is a huge win for America.” Others have noted that Rubio’s tenure as Secretary of State is already making a strong impact in reshaping global alignments.

6 thoughts on “What Rubio just pulled off in Panama will have global consequences”

      1. Lol should be an edit button on here.. It got my name all wrong. The Peanut Prez is worshiped for the give away. Even got a Grammy yesterday.

  1. I was hesitant at first of President Trump’s pick of Marco Rubio; after all he sailed in with no objection from the Demoncrats… (the reaction of the left is a good measure of the effectiveness of our actions. The greater the objection- in general- the better the pick)… but this first step by Rubio is a stellar move.
    Carry on, Marco.

  2. Clare Alexander May

    “Operation Just Cause”…The murder of Hugo Spadafora… Noriega had Endara and his supporters beaten in the streets.
    December 1989-January 1990 the US Invaded Panama.
    My my my… how little the left will bring to light.

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