Statement from the Colombian Council of International Relations (CORI) on the Panama Canal

The Colombian Council on International Relations (CORI) expresses its deep concern and rejection of the recent statements by the president-elect of the United States that question – unfortunately – the sovereignty of the Republic of Panama over the Canal.
It must be remembered that the Torrijos – Carter treaties (1977) ended the dominance of the United States over the Canal and allowed the beginning of a free, independent and sovereign nation. In turn, Panama over decades has demonstrated its ability to manage the Canal efficiently and safely.
In this sense, the CORI reaffirms the validity of international treaties in accordance with the principle Pacta sunt servanda (“he who signs the pacts must comply with them”), rejects any attempt to break with the norms and principles of international law, and highlights the right of Latin American nations to live in a zone of peace and free of external interference.
The region cannot become an arena of strategic competition between world powers or unilateral colonialist claims in the 21st century.
Likewise, commercial competition between certain countries cannot be translated into the escalation of geopolitical tension in Latin America. This requires, at this moment, the union of all of Latin America and the construction of a single voice, in support and solidarity with the Panamanian people and government.
The Panama Canal and its adjacent area is an inalienable heritage of Panamanians and will continue to be so, at the service of humanity and global trade.