Former U.S. Ambassador to Panama, John Feeley, suggests that regaining control of the Panama Canal would necessitate war. In a recent interview, Feeley declared, “To attempt to take it back today, I’d like to ask you, go find the MAGA constituency that’s going to support another foreign war because that is what it would take to get the canal back” (The Hill). This statement was made following President-elect Donald Trump’s provocative remarks regarding the canal's ownership.

Trump suggested in a conference that the United States should reclaim the canal from Panama, which he claimed had been unfairly treated. He referred to the canal, initially handed over to Panama in the 1970s, as the “United States Canal” during his comments, stating, “It was given to Panama and to the people of Panama,” but hinted at severe consequences if the situation did not change for American interests (The Daily Beast). He affirmed, “If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned.”

Feeley, who served under both President Obama and President Trump, reflected on historical perspectives regarding the canal's transfer, highlighting that even conservative leaders, such as Henry Kissinger, acknowledged the wisdom of returning it. “No one less than Henry Kissinger in 1975 told then-President Nixon, if we don’t return this canal, we’re going to lose in every international forum,” he stated. His commentary resonates with ongoing global discussions about sovereignty and political dynamics, especially as Panama prepares to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the canal's return to its control on New Year’s Eve later this year.

Panama's President José Raúl Mulino firmly stated, “The sovereignty and independence of our country are not negotiable,” reinforcing the nation's resolved stance on the matter. This illustrates a significant international tension regarding ownership and rights over the Panama Canal, a vital waterway for global trade.

For more insight, read the full articles from The Hill and The Daily Beast.