Panama's leader privately warns of taking Trump to the UN Security Council
According to one of his predecessors, President José Mulino stated that he is awaiting Donald Trump's inauguration before proceeding with any actions.
TroibNews 
PANAMA CITY — This week, President José Mulino of Panama privately indicated that he could bring concerns about President-elect Donald Trump's threats to the United Nations Security Council if those threats persist, according to former President Ernesto Balladares.
Mulino expressed that he prefers to wait until Trump is inaugurated to evaluate whether he will pursue the issue further, as stated by Balladares.
“He said he will take more actions after January 20 … if President-elect Trump insists on the issue,” Balladares shared during an interview in his office.
Balladares mentioned that Mulino's comments were made during a gathering at the presidential palace on Wednesday, which was attended by Latin American leaders and Venezuela’s opposition leader Edmundo González.
He noted that Mulino did not elaborate on any specific actions he might consider, according to Balladares.
“Like everybody else in this country he’s surprised,” Balladares remarked regarding Mulino’s reaction to Trump's statements.
These comments came a day after Trump suggested he might not rule out military action to reclaim the Panama Canal, which the U.S. handed over to Panama 25 years ago.
Requests for comment from both the Trump transition team and Mulino's spokesperson, Astrid Salazar, were not immediately answered.
In recent weeks, Trump has asserted, without clear evidence, that Chinese soldiers have control over the canal, which is managed by an independent Panamanian authority. He has also voiced concerns over the transit fees paid by American vessels and has threatened to regain control of the waterway.
Last month, Mulino publicly countered these claims, stating, “As president, I want to clearly state that every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjoining zone is Panama’s and will remain so.”
Panama is set to hold a non-permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council in 2025 and 2026.
Navid Kalantari contributed to this report for TROIB News
Mulino expressed that he prefers to wait until Trump is inaugurated to evaluate whether he will pursue the issue further, as stated by Balladares.
“He said he will take more actions after January 20 … if President-elect Trump insists on the issue,” Balladares shared during an interview in his office.
Balladares mentioned that Mulino's comments were made during a gathering at the presidential palace on Wednesday, which was attended by Latin American leaders and Venezuela’s opposition leader Edmundo González.
He noted that Mulino did not elaborate on any specific actions he might consider, according to Balladares.
“Like everybody else in this country he’s surprised,” Balladares remarked regarding Mulino’s reaction to Trump's statements.
These comments came a day after Trump suggested he might not rule out military action to reclaim the Panama Canal, which the U.S. handed over to Panama 25 years ago.
Requests for comment from both the Trump transition team and Mulino's spokesperson, Astrid Salazar, were not immediately answered.
In recent weeks, Trump has asserted, without clear evidence, that Chinese soldiers have control over the canal, which is managed by an independent Panamanian authority. He has also voiced concerns over the transit fees paid by American vessels and has threatened to regain control of the waterway.
Last month, Mulino publicly countered these claims, stating, “As president, I want to clearly state that every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjoining zone is Panama’s and will remain so.”
Panama is set to hold a non-permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council in 2025 and 2026.
Navid Kalantari contributed to this report for TROIB News
