Controversy
Status:Open
Will the United States Take Control of the Panama Canal?
UNLIKELYLIKELY
Claims
Richard M. Sanders"The United States is vastly stronger than Panama and could take the canal back through military force or economic pressure if it so desired."
The Hill"Such proposals [repurchasing the Panama Canal] are legally impossible and operationally unnecessary."
Javier Martinez-Acha"The only hands operating the canal are Panamanian and that is how it is going to stay."
Donald Trump"We didn't give [the Panama Canal] to China, we gave it to Panama, and we're taking it back."
Jorge Luis Quijano"Legally, there's no way, under normal circumstances, to recover territory that was used previously."
Jose Raul Mulino"The canal belongs to Panama."
Ronald Reagan"We [the US] bought it [the Canal Zone], we paid for it, it's ours, and we're going to keep it."
Donald Trump"We will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America, in full, quickly and without question."
Benjamin Gedan"There's very little wiggle room, absent a second U.S. invasion of Panama, to retake control of the Panama Canal in practical terms."
John D. Feeley"Panama is not about to return the canal."
Jose Raul Mulino"Rest assured, it [the canal] will stay in our control forever."
Bruce Fein"Trump cannot acquire the Panama Canal except through the crime of aggressive war."Jan 21, 2025
Donald Trump"We will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America, in full, quickly and without question."
Jose Raul MulinoThe canal "is and will continue to be Panamanian."
Jose Raul Mulino"Every square meter of the canal belongs to Panama and will continue to belong."
© 2025 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.18.0
© 2025 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.18.0