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The new US ambassador in Panama, who was appointed on Thursday, pledged to further strengthen the ties between the Central American nation and the United States while highlighting China as a threat to all.
“My first priority will be to enhance our joint efforts to counter harmful influence in the region such as China”, Ambassador Kevin Cabrera stated during a news conference held at his residence.
Cabrera arrived late last month after tensions escalated between Washington and Panama City.
Donald Trump has criticized China’s influence in Panama, saying that his administration will “take back” Panama Canal.
Cabrera stated on Thursday that China was not a good partner for Panama or our hemisphere. He added that the two nations would work together to combat drug trafficking, and increase security at the Panama Canal.
China’s Embassy in Panama later rejected the U.S. Ambassador’s remarks, citing Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino who denied Chinese interference in Panama Canal.
The spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy said that the cooperation between China and Panama in the Belt and Road Initiative had produced fruitful results.
The embassy said that the Chinese authorities were conducting an antitrust investigation in compliance with the law and international standards.
Early April, the Panamanian Attorney General’s Office began an investigation of a contract awarded to Hong Kong’s CK Hutchison for the operation and management of two ports within the Central American nation.
(source: Reuters)
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