PANAMA CITY (AP) – A planned trip by some Panamanian lawmakers to Taiwan has ignited a diplomatic conflict with China as Panama attempts to balance its relations between the Asian superpower and the United States. This situation escalated on Wednesday when Panama’s Foreign Relations Ministry and the U.S. ambassador to Panama criticized Chinese diplomats for urging lawmakers to cancel their trip to Taiwan. The ministry accused the Chinese Embassy of "meddling" in Panama's internal affairs.
President José Raúl Mulino had voiced concerns a week prior, stating that the proposed trip did not have the sanction of his administration and highlighted that it is the executive branch responsible for national foreign policy. China's position is that Taiwan, a self-governing island, is part of its territory, which has led to military drills around its waters in recent years as a demonstration of this claim.
The tension between China and Panama comes as part of a broader trend in Latin America, where Chinese diplomats have been working to establish diplomatic ties with various governments while persuading them to sever relations with Taiwan. Since 2017, when Panama established diplomatic relations with China, the country has been navigating these complicated geopolitical waters.
The situation gained further attention as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Panama in February. During his visit, he addressed concerns regarding China's influence, particularly in relation to the strategically vital Panama Canal, where a Hong Kong-based conglomerate holds a long-term concession for operations. Despite these concerns, Panama’s administration has denied any influence from China over the canal's operations.
In response to the diplomatic tensions, Panama's Foreign Relations Ministry released a statement asserting that as a sovereign nation, it would not accept pressure or restrictions aimed at influencing its legitimate decisions. Although the statement did not directly name China, it followed reports that the Chinese Embassy had asked ten lawmakers to cancel their proposed trip to Taiwan, labeling it a serious violation of the "one China" principle and an interference in Chinese internal affairs.
The Chinese Embassy's response to queries regarding the issue redirected attention to La Prensa's reporting without further comment. President Mulino has lamented the fact that Panama finds itself entangled in growing U.S.-China tensions, emphasizing the difficulties for his administration.
On the American side, U.S. Ambassador to Panama Kevin Marino Cabrera expressed support for the Panamanian lawmakers planning to visit Taiwan, indicating that such matters should remain free from external interference, specifically from the Chinese Embassy. He reiterated the importance of lawmakers gaining exposure to Taiwan’s development models and investment opportunities that could benefit Panama’s modernization.
Moreover, in September, the Trump administration started to restrict visas for Central American individuals affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), focusing on those who might undermine the rule of law in Central America. The complexities of these diplomatic interactions highlight Panama’s precarious position in the midst of heightened global tensions between the U.S. and China.
As tensions continue to arise, the implications for Panama’s foreign relations, particularly regarding its stance on Taiwan and its partnerships with global powers, remain to be seen.
