US voices support for Panama's sovereignty

 The United States, Bolivia, Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica, Guyana and Paraguay published a joint statement saying they're monitoring China's "targeted economic pressure and the recent actions that have affected Panama-flagged vessels."

"These actions—following the decision of Panama's independent Supreme Court regarding the Balboa and Cristobal terminals—are a blatant attempt to politicize maritime trade and infringe on the sovereignty of the nations of our hemisphere," the statement said. Panama's Supreme Court ruled in January that the concession held by a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison to operate the Balboa and Cristobal terminals at the entrances to the Panama Canal was unconstitutional. The ruling voided both the original 1997 contract and its 2021 extension, which was meant to prolong it by another 25 years.

"Panama is a pillar of our maritime trading system, and as such must remain free from any undue external pressure," the joint statement added.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/US-voices-support-for-Panama's-sovereignty/66170261