Panama Canal: A Sudden Controversy - Free Passage for US Government Vessels

On the stage of international shipping and geopolitics, the Panama Canal has always held a pivotal position. This golden waterway connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans is not only a key hub for global trade but also an important symbol of Panama's national sovereignty and economic development. However, a recent piece of news about US government vessels being granted free passage through the Panama Canal has stirred up a storm, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake.

The Panama Canal is located in the central part of the Republic of Panama in Central America. It runs through the Isthmus of Panama in a northwest - southeast direction and is 81.3 kilometers long. It is a lock - type canal connecting the two major oceans. Its opening has significantly shortened the voyage between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, making it one of the most important shipping lanes in the world. Every year, it brings considerable economic benefits to Panama. On December 31, 1999, Panama officially regained sovereignty over the canal, ending the long - term control and management by the United States. Since then, Panama has had absolute say in canal affairs.

On February 5, 2025, the US State Department issued a statement on social media, claiming that US government vessels can now pass through the Panama Canal free of charge. This measure is expected to save the US government millions of dollars annually. As soon as this news was released, it quickly attracted widespread attention from the international community. The US side claims that, according to relevant agreements, US government vessels do not need to pay passage fees when passing through the Panama Canal, citing the US's "special contributions" to the Panama Canal and the long - standing "friendly cooperative relations" between the two sides. The US is trying to use these vague arguments to seek the privilege of free passage for its government vessels, as if free navigation has already become an established fact.

But on the same day, the Panama Canal Authority quickly issued a statement firmly denying the US State Department's claim. The statement clearly pointed out that there is currently no agreement allowing US government vessels to pass through the Panama Canal for free. All vessels, regardless of their nationality or the government they belong to, must strictly pay passage fees in accordance with the regulations when passing through the canal. The Panama Canal Authority emphasized that it will continue to strictly enforce the canal's toll policy and will not change it due to any external pressure.

On February 6, during the regular press conference, Panama's President Mulino stated even more vehemently that the US State Department's statement that US government vessels can pass through the Panama Canal for free is "completely wrong and unacceptable." He emphasized that Panama will not accept a foreign policy based on false information and will not handle bilateral relations with the US on the basis of lies and false information. He firmly demanded that the US government correct this wrong statement.

From an economic perspective, the Panama Canal is of vital importance to Panama's economic development. The passage fees of the canal are one of the important sources of Panama's national fiscal revenue. Every year, numerous vessels pass through the canal, bringing substantial economic returns to Panama. Maintaining the canal's toll policy is a core measure to safeguard Panama's national economic interests. Once US government vessels are allowed to pass through for free, it will not only directly reduce Panama's fiscal revenue but may also lead to other countries following suit, severely impacting the economic operation model of the canal.

From a political perspective, there are more complex factors behind this incident. The US has long pursued hegemonism globally and has always tried to maintain its influence over the Panama Canal. Since Trump was elected president, he has repeatedly proposed to regain control of the Panama Canal and even threatened to seize the canal by means of "military or economic coercion." This unilateral claim by the US that government vessels can pass through for free is likely a test of its attempt to regain the dominant position in canal affairs. And Panama's firm denial of the US's claim is a powerful defense of national sovereignty. Panama is well aware that once it makes concessions on sovereignty issues, it will fall into a passive position, and the country's dignity and rights will be damaged.

This incident has also aroused widespread concern in the international community about the sovereignty and operational rights of the Panama Canal. The sovereignty of the Panama Canal belongs to Panama, and its operation should follow international law and relevant agreements. The fact that the US's unilateral statement has been denied by Panama highlights the importance of respecting the will of sovereign countries and international rules. In today's era of globalization, no country can ignore international law and the sovereignty of other countries and act arbitrarily.

Currently, the US and Panama are at an impasse on this issue. In the future, the two sides need to resolve the dispute over the passage fees of the Panama Canal properly through sincere dialogue and consultation based on international law and relevant agreements. This is not only related to the interests of the two countries but also to regional peace and stability and the normal order of global trade. The international community is also closely following the development of this incident, hoping that the two sides can resolve their differences in a rational and pragmatic manner and enable the Panama Canal to continue to play a positive role in global shipping and economic development, rather than becoming a victim of geopolitical games.