Panama and the New U.S. Strategy to Counter China in Latin America

The Panama Supreme Court’s ruling against Hutchison Ports in late January was not merely an isolated legal event; it was the successful proof-of-concept for a new geopolitical weapon. What appears on the surface to be a dispute over contracts from ...

Analysis from Cobus van Staden

Looking Beyond “Useful Africa” at the Mining Indaba

With U.S.-South Africa ties in the deep freeze, it was notable to see the sheer size of the U.S. delegation sent to this week’s Mining Indaba in Cape Town – one of the most prominent industry gatherings and one of the few where the Global South gets a prominent voice.
The Trump administration’s famous Afrophobia seems (momentarily at least) tempered by its greed for minerals. It is reportedly walking ...

U.S. Warns on Chinese Energy Role During High-Level Venezuela Visit

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright urged expanded American investment in Venezuela’s oil and gas sector during the highest-level U.S. energy-focused visit to the country in nearly three decades, following its invasion in January. He cautioned Venezuelan leaders against what Washington frames as ...

Chinese Scholar Warns of Latin America’s ‘Resource Nationalism,’ Urging Firms to Brace for Political Risk

An analysis from China’s most influential public policy think tank, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, warned of Latin America’s trend of drifting back towards what it called “resource nationalism” and urged Chinese companies to strengthen risk safeguards measures. ...

Hong Kong Summons Panama Envoy Over CK Hutchison Ports Ruling

Hong Kong's commerce chief on Friday summoned the Panamanian Consul General in the city to condemn a court ruling that annulled Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison's contract to operate two ports at the Panama Canal. The move came after China's Hong Kong and Macau ...

Panama Rejects Chinese Threats Over Canal Port Dispute

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino on Wednesday strongly rejected China's warning that Panama would pay a "heavy price" after the Supreme Court invalidated Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison's concession to operate two strategic ports on the Panama Canal. The court ruled the contract unconstitutional, citing disproportionate favoritism toward the ...

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

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 ...

CK Hutchison Begins Arbitration Against Panama Over Annulled Canal Contract

Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison said in a statement Tuesday it has initiated international arbitration against Panama, after a ruling by the country's top court annulled a concession allowing it to operate ports at the Panama Canal. Panama's Supreme Court last ...

China Warns Panama of ‘Heavy Prices’ to Pay After CK Hutchison Contract Quashed

China warned Panama on Tuesday there would be "heavy prices" to pay after a court ruling there annulled Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison's contract to operate two ports at the Panama Canal. China's Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office called the ruling ...

China Calls Panama Court Ruling on CK Hutchison Port Contracts ‘Shameful, Pathetic’

China on Tuesday called a Panama court ruling annulling CK Hutchison's contracts to operate two Panama Canal ports "absurd," "shameful and pathetic," and vowed to defend Chinese firms' interests. Panama's Supreme Court last week annulled key contracts Panama Ports Company, a ...

Trump Says He Welcomes Chinese Investment in Venezuelan Oil

U.S. President Donald Trump said Saturday he would "welcome" Chinese investment in Venezuela's oil industry as the South American country seeks to revive its battered economy following the ouster of leader Nicolas Maduro. Venezuela sits on the world's largest proven oil ...

Hong Kong Port Operator Violated Panama’s Constitution, Failed to Serve Public Interest, Panama Court Ruled

The Supreme Court of Panama said a contract held by a Hong Kong company to operate ports at the Panama Canal failed to “serve the public interest and social welfare,” in its decision on Thursday voiding the contracts. While the court announced the decision on Thursday, it ...

Panama Ports Will Operate Undisrupted After CK Hutchison Ruling, President Says

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino said on Friday that ports in the country will operate without disruption, despite a Supreme Court decision to annul key port contracts held by a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison. The ruling on Thursday left the ...

Panama Court Voids CK Hutchison Port Contracts

Panama's Supreme Court has annulled key port contracts held by a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison, leaving the future ownership of some Panama Canal operations unclear and possibly upsetting its plans to sell some terminals. Panama Ports Company (PPC), a ...
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