Trump's bold claim: Taking back the Panama Canal

"We have been treated very poorly due to this foolish gift that should never have been given, and Panama's promise to us has been broken. The purpose of our agreement and the spirit of our treaty have been completely violated," said Donald Trump in his inaugural speech.

"First of all, China controls the Panama Canal, and we didn’t give it to China; we gave it to Panama, and we're taking it back," Trump declared.

Panama's president has already responded to these statements in a statement published on portal X.

"On behalf of the Republic of Panama and its citizens, I must completely reject President Donald Trump's words regarding Panama and its Canal, which were spoken during his inaugural speech. I reiterate what I said in my address to the nation on December 22: The Canal was, is, and will remain Panama's property, and its administration will continue to be carried out by Panama with permanent respect for its neutrality," stated Panama's President José Raúl Mulino.

"We will use our right to defend our interests, based on the legal foundation of the Treaty, with the dignity that distinguishes us, and with the strength given to us by international law as the appropriate way to regulate relations between countries," announced Panama's president. "Dialogue always remains the best way to clarify the issues raised without prejudice to our rights, full sovereignty, and ownership of our Canal," he added.

Panama does not have a traditional army. As a result of historical and political decisions following the United States' invasion in 1989, which overthrew the regime of General Manuel Noriega, Panama abolished its armed forces. Instead, the country relies on police services and special units that perform tasks typical of armed forces.