U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth have taken a different tack toward the Panama Canal, announcing that their government's ships have been given permission to pass through the Panama Canal free of charge. But his administration has denied this.
"U.S. government vessels can now sail through the Panama Canal free of charge, saving the U.S. government millions of dollars a year," the State Department said on the X network.
But the Panama Canal Authority, which is overseen by the Panamanian government, also said on the X network she denied it. "In response to a request from the U.S. Department of State, the Panama Canal Authority, which is authorized to set tolls and other fees for passage through the Canal, announces that it has not made any rate adjustments. With full responsibility, the Panama Canal Authority is, as it has stated, ready to engage in dialogue with U.S. officials regarding the passage of U.S. warships," the statement reads.
Spokesman for the Ministry of Defence John Ullyot provided the following information: "Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke by phone with Panamanian President José Raul Mulino on February 5. They agreed on the strong relationship and the many security interests the United States and Panama share, including the protection of the Panama Canal. Secretary Hegseth and President Mulino also agreed to expand cooperation between the U.S. military and Panamanian security forces. They also highlighted the extensive and expanding cooperation between the United States, including the Department of Defense, and the Panama Canal Authority. President Mulino welcomed Secretary Hegseth's future visit to Panama, which will serve to develop our countries' close ties and ensure the Canal's joint defense against external threats."
Minister Rubio visited the Panama Canal on Sunday as part of his official trip to the region, which includes Panama, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic.
Minister Rubio, who was accompanied by a delegation of U.S. government representatives, was received at the Miraflores Locks by Ricaurte Canal Administrator Vásquez Morales, who expressed the Canal's continued commitment to safe, continuous and efficient operations.
During his visit, Minister Rubio observed the operation of the Miraflores locks and received a first-hand account of their operation from the control cabin.
The Panama Canal Authority has communicated to Secretary Rubio its intention to work with the U.S. Navy to optimize the priority of U.S. Navy ships transiting the Panama Canal.
Secretary Rubio especially wanted to salute Edwin Miranda, a canal guide who has 23 years of service on the canal and who visited him during his visit as a senator in 2018.
The Panama Canal is an important driver of trade relations between the United States and Panama. In 2024, 52 % transits through the Canal had ports of origin or destination in the United States. In addition, more than 76 % of cargo that transited the Canal had the United States as its origin or destination, and more than three-quarters of that cargo used the Neopanamax lock.
Pentagon/ panamacanal.com/ gnews - RoZ
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