Secretary of State Marco Rubio persuaded Panama's President José Raúl Mulino to not renew the country's agreement with China regarding the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This makes Panama the first Latin American country to withdraw from the BRI. The decision comes after a meeting between Rubio and Mulino, where they discussed Panama's sovereignty, security, and economic relations with the US. While Mulino emphasized Panama's control over the Panama Canal, he acknowledged an ongoing audit of two Chinese-operated ports.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio succeeded in convincing Panama ’s President José Raúl Mulino to opt out of renewing its agreement with China regarding the Belt and Road Initiative .
Panama became the “first Latin American country to sign onto the Belt and Road Initiative” in 2018, a year after “Panama cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan,”In 2017, China score a major victory when Panama cut diplomatic ties with Taiwan, the self-governing Island that China claims as its territory, and recognized Beijing instead. Panama had been one of the few countries worldwide to recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state.
During the meeting between Rubio and Mulino, the two “discussed Panama’s sovereignty, security, and economic relations” with the United States.
Finally, the two leaders also agreed to strengthen cooperation on regional security, curb illegal migration through the Darian Gap, and enhance investment opportunities for US companies.that Mulino had confirmed that “a broad agreement between Panama and China to contribute to China’s silk road program,” was not being renewed.
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