The Panama Canal will remain in our hands, the minister told Trump

Panama insists its sovereignty over the Panama Canal is “non-negotiable” after US President-elect Donald Trump refused to rule out a military takeover.

Trump made the remark during a press conference on Tuesday, in which he also falsely claimed that the Panama Canal was controlled by Chinese soldiers.

Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha responded by saying that “the only hands that control the canal are Panamanian and it will remain so.”

The Panama Canal was administered by the United States for decades, but under a treaty signed by the late US President Jimmy Carter in 1977, it was handed over to the Panamanians on December 31, 1999.

At his news conference in Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday, Trump called President Carter’s decision to bring back the channel a “big mistake.”

He too again expressed interest in buying the Arctic island of Greenland – which is a self-governing territory of Denmark – as well as the Panama Canal.

Asked by reporters if he ruled out using military or economic force to acquire Greenland and the Panama Canal, he said: “No, I can’t assure you of either of those two.”

Panama’s foreign minister denied that his country had received any offers from the president-elect.

“Trump’s comments today that he talked about a certain amount of money are not true. No proposals have been received, let it be clear,” said Martinez-Acha.

He added that “the sovereignty of our channel is not negotiable and is part of our history of struggle and irreversible conquest.”

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mullina has not yet responded directly to Trump’s latest remarks.

But at a colorful ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the canal’s handover to Panama on December 31, he told those present “to be sure that it will remain under our control forever.”

In the past, President Mulino has appeared irritated by Trump’s claims that the canal is under some Chinese influence, saying that “for God’s sake, there are no Chinese soldiers in the canal.”

His government also emphasized that “until January 20, the US government is headed by Joe Biden. From January 20, we will deal with Mr. Trump and his government.”

“Panama is committed to cooperating and maintaining excellent relations with various governments.”