The president of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, announced on Thursday (6) the cancellation of the economic agreement with China for the implementation of the “New Rota da Silk” program in the country.
The decision occurs in a moment of increasing pressure from the United States to reduce Chinese influence on the Panama Canal, one of the world’s leading trade.
Mulino reported that the Panama Embassy in Beijing has already presented the formal document for cancellation, which should occur 90 days in advance, as stipulated in the agreement.
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In his statements, President Panamenho denied that the decision was a US requirement, although he recently met with the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in Panama.
The “New Silk Route”, also known as “Belt and Route”, is an ambitious Chinese government program aimed at funding works and investments in several countries, including in Latin America.
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Since its launch in 2013, the program has been strengthened, with an estimated budget in trillions of dollars, but faces challenges due to geopolitical tensions.
Despite the cancellation of the agreement, the Panamanian government and the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) denied statements from the US State Department that US vessels would have “free pass” by the waterway.
Mulino classified the statement as “intolerable” and “absolute falsehood”, demanding a firm posture from the Panamanian ambassador in the United States in response to the situation.
