THE President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced, on Thursday (28), the direct recognition of Brazil to the treaty on permanent neutrality and the operation of the Panama Canal. Lula received the president of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, for an official visit, and, In his speech, he referred to the threats of US President Donald Trump to resume control of the interoceanic pathway.
“Brazil fully supports Panama’s sovereignty over the channel, won after decades of struggle. For over 25 years, the country has managed the maritime corridor with efficiency and respect for neutrality, ensuring safe traffic to ships of all origins,” Lula said in a statement to the Planalto Palace.
“Attempts to restore ancient hegemonies put in check the freedom and self -determination of our peoples. Interference threats press democratic institutions and compromise the construction of an integrated, developed and autonomous continent. International trade is used as an instrument of coercion and blackmail,” he added.
The Panama Canal Neutral Treaty is one of the bilateral acts of the Torrijos-Carter treaties, signed by the United States and Panama, which govern the functioning and neutrality of the aquatic pathway, with Panama assuming total channel administration in 1999. Brazil, as a member nation of the Organization of American States (OAS), recognizes the validity of these treaties, which aim to ensure safe and non-discriminatory traffic to all nations.
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The works of the Panama Canal began by France in 1880 and assumed by the United States in 1904. The venture has greatly reduced travel time to cross the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans by ship, fundamental to international trade. THE Channel is managed and operated by the Panama Canal Authority, a government agency of the country.
“There is no doubt that the channel issue affects us a lot because it is a struggle of a century, conquered by negotiation and we have been able to reach full sovereignty,” said Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino.
Today, the Ministry of Ports and Airports of Brazil and the authority of the Panama Canal signed a memorandum of understanding to optimize Brazilian exports and modernize the operation of Brazilian ports. It foresees the exchange of experiences and transfer of information about the operation of the Panama Canal, studies on the use of new routes and evaluation of more sustainable maritime and fluvial routes.
During the official visit, a memo was also signed for cooperation on agricultural and livestock development, in areas such as technical training, animal and plant health, sustainable production and innovation. Still, the Embraer announced the agreement for the sale of four A-29 Super Tucano model aircraft to the Panama National Aeronaval Service.
According to President Lula, the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz) will also act with the country to expand the Panamania vaccine production capacity and contribute to the establishment of a regional pharmaceutical pole.
Environment
THE President Mulino confirmed his participation in the 30th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP30) in Belém in Novemberand told about the impact of migrations on the forests of the Darién region, on the border of Colombia and Panama. According to him, the paths were devastated and tons of garbage were left by the thousands of people who cross the region towards North America.
The country is also affected by droughts and is building a reservoir to supply the lake of Canal do Panama, which makes navigation in the place.
“We need water, forests and fight every day against climate change,” said Mulino.
THE President Lula pointed out that Brazil and Panama are responsible for immense biodiversity and deserve to be paid for environmental services. He asked the country to adhere to Background Tropical Forests Forever (TFFF)which will be launched at COP30, a financial mechanism to reward countries for preserving their tropical forests.
“Despite being one of the few countries that absorb the most greenhouse gases than they emit, Panama already deals with the effects of rising sea level in their territory. The displacement of the Guna indigenous people from their ancestral archipelago is a concrete example of climate injustice,” said the Brazilian president.
