Panama Protesters Burn US Flag over Trump’s Remarks on Canal Control
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Protesters in Panama burned an American flag in response to US President-elect Donald Trump’s comments about potentially reclaiming control of the Panama Canal, citing dissatisfaction with current usage terms.
A video shared on Instagram by the United National Union of Construction Workers captured protesters burning both a US flag and a portrait of Trump during a demonstration.
"We want to take this opportunity to express our categorical rejection of the US statements regarding the intention to retake our canal. We ask the government to act more decisively," said one of the protest organizers.
Although the protest initially targeted domestic social policies, attendees also used the occasion to denounce Trump’s comments.
On Sunday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the United States might demand a return of control over the Panama Canal unless current usage conditions are revised. He criticized high tariffs for canal use, described the 1999 transfer of the canal as a "gesture of cooperation," and urged Panama to reconsider its policies.
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino responded firmly, stating that sovereignty over the canal is "non-negotiable." In a video message, he declared, "Every square meter of the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to belong to our country."
Without mentioning Trump by name, Mulino defended the canal’s toll system, emphasizing that rates are determined by operational costs and market factors. "The tariffs are not set on a whim," he said, adding that fees support ongoing improvements and expansion projects initiated by Panama.
"Panamanians may have different views on many issues," Mulino continued, "but when it comes to our canal and our sovereignty, we will all unite under our Panamanian flag."
Trump later escalated the exchange by posting an image of a US flag planted in the canal zone with the caption, "Welcome to the United States Canal!"
The Panama Canal, completed in 1920 and a crucial route for global trade, was built under US supervision. In 1977, the Torrijos-Carter Treaty initiated its gradual transfer to Panama, finalized in 1999. The agreement ensured the canal’s neutrality and accessibility to world trade, cementing its role as a strategic economic asset.
Today, the canal remains a vital trade artery, with fees ranging from three to six figures based on a vessel’s size and cargo. Trump has criticized these costs as excessive, reigniting tensions over the canal’s control and policies.