Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed her country's support for Panama after US President-elect Donald Trump threatened to regain control of the Panama Canal.’Indeed, the Panama Canal belongs to the Panamanians,’ Sheinbaum said in her regular press conference.Colombian President Gustavo Petro also firmly rejected Trump's remarks, pledging strong support for Panamas independence and sovereignty.’I will be on the side of Panama and the defense of its sovereignty If the new US administration wants to talk business, we will talk business face to face and for the good of our people, but we will never negotiate honor and dignity,’ Petro stated.Meanwhile, the Venezuelan Ministry of Foreign Affairs voiced Venezuela's support for Panama following Trump's threats.The Ministry reaffirmed in a statement Venezuela's unwavering commitment to Panama's sovereignty over the Canal.Trump on Monday threatened to reassert the US control over the Panama Canal, accusing Panama of charging high rates for using the passageway.The US relinquished control of the waterway to Panama in 1999 under a treaty signed in 1977 under President Jimmy Carter.Panama's President Jose Raul Molino was quick to denounce Trump's statements, stressing that every square meter of the Panama Canal and the surrounding area belongs to Panama and will remain so.
