This concern was expressed by Republican Senator Ted Cruz, who stated that the ports represent a "sharp risk" to the security of the United States due to China's presence.
In February, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Panama and warned Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino about the possible measures to be taken if Panama did not take steps to reduce the Chinese presence in the area.
As a result of this pressure, Panama decided to abandon China's "Belt and Road" initiative, which prompted condemnation from the Chinese government.
In a recent victory for President Donald Trump and his "America First" approach,the key ports of the Panama Canal have been sold to BlackRock, a prominent American investment management firm.
This transaction, which occurred shortly after Trump suggested the possibility of reclaiming control of the Panama Canal by force,represents a significant advancement for his efforts to increase the United States' presence in strategic areas.
The sale was conducted by CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd., a Hong Kong-based conglomerate, which sold control of its port operating units, including the ports of Balboa and Cristóbal, in Panama.
CK Hutchinson cedió entre otras operaciones el control de los puertos Balboa y Cristobal en Panamá
The agreement, which was backed by a consortium formed by BlackRock, Global Infrastructure Partners, and Terminal Investment Ltd., grants these entities 80% of Hutchison Ports, the group that operates 43 ports in 23 countries.
Among the most significant transactions is the sale of 90% of Panama Ports Co., which manages the ports of Balboa and Cristóbal, in Panama, to this consortium. In return, CK Hutchison will receive USD 19 billion for the sale.
This transaction comes shortly after Trump declared that the United States should retake control of the Panama Canal, which he considers of strategic interest given the crucial role it plays in global trade.
President Trump has been a critic of China's dangerous influence over the Panama Canal, particularly through the management of the ports by Hutchison Ports, a company with ties to Hong Kong, whose influence has increased under Beijing's control.
El consorcio liderado por BlackRock adquirió el 90% de las operaciones de Panama Ports Co.
In a context of growing rivalry with China, Trump has argued that the ports in the Panama Canal could be used by China to monitor or even block the passage of American ships, which would pose a threat to the national security of the United States.
El senador Ted Cruz advirtió por el peligro que China representa en el Canal de Panamá
The sale of Panama's ports to the U.S.-led consortium by BlackRock could be seen as a move to ensure that control of these strategic infrastructures remains under U.S. influence, as part of Trump's efforts to protect his country's interests.
Although the agreement has also been interpreted as an economic victory for the companies involved, it has been closely linked to Trump's foreign policy and his focus on ensuring that the United States regains control of key areas of global trade and infrastructure.
In addition to this advancement, Trump has achieved other significant successes in his economic agenda. Among these are the commitments from Apple and a consortium led by Softbank to invest USD 600 billion in training American workers in artificial intelligence, and the announcement of Honda to produce the next models of its Civic in Indiana instead of in Mexico.
Tras una visita de Marco Rubio al Canal de Panamá, el país centroamericano decidió alejarse del país caribeño
However, Trump's victory with the sale of the Panama Canal ports was not the only news of the day. On the same day, the tariffs that Trump had promised for imports from Mexico and Canada came into effect, prompting a message on his social network Truth Social, where he urged companies to manufacture their products in the United States to avoid the tariffs.
This way, the president reaffirmed his stance of promoting the "America First" policy, seeking to promote domestic manufacturing and protect the U.S. economy.
