Panama’s President Jos Ral Mulino has accused a US Embassy official of pressuring Panamanian officials to revoke their visas as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to limit Panama’s ties with China. During his regular news briefing, President Mulino expressed his concern over the official’s actions, stating that such behavior is not in line with fostering friendly relations between the two countries.
The US Embassy in Panama has yet to respond to these allegations. The Trump administration has refrained from commenting on individual visa cases; however, the US State Department previously stated its commitment to counter China’s influence in Central America, indicating that visas may be restricted for individuals linked to the Chinese Communist Party or those undermining democracy on behalf of China.
Recent incidents involving visa revocations have been reported in the region. Former Costa Rican President Oscar Arias and Vanessa Castro, vice president of Costa Rica’s Congress, have both had their visas canceled, with allegations of ties to the Chinese Communist Party. These actions come amidst heightened tensions between the US and China, particularly concerning the strategic Panama Canal.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Panama earlier this year emphasized the need to limit China’s influence over the Panama Canal. Panama has denied Chinese control over canal operations but has complied with US demands for a Hong Kong-based port operator to sell its concession to an American consortium. President Mulino reiterated Panama’s commitment to maintaining the canal’s neutrality, emphasizing that the US-China conflict does not directly involve Panama.
President Mulino criticized the use of visa threats as leverage, highlighting that while countries have the right to grant or revoke visas, such actions should not be used as tools of coercion. The underlying US-China tensions remain a separate issue from Panama’s stance, according to Mulino’s statements.