Panama Hits Back After China Warns of ‘Heavy Price’ in Ports Row

Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino delivers a speech during the International Economic Forum Latin America and the Caribbean 2026, in Panama City, Panama, January 28, 2026. REUTERS/Aris Martinez
With Reuters

Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino on Wednesday rejected China’s threat to make the Central American country pay a “heavy price” after a Hong Kong company was evicted from two ports on the Panama Canal.

Writing on X, Mulino “strongly” rejected the threat from the Beijing office overseeing affairs in semi-autonomous Hong Kong, which came after Panama’s Supreme Court invalidated CK Hutchison’s port concession.

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by Eric Olander

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