Panama has officially decided to leave China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), making it the first country in Latin America to do so.
This is a big change in Panama’s foreign policy and its relationship with China, which has been trying to expand its influence through this global infrastructure program.
The BRI is a massive plan by China to build infrastructure and improve trade connections with countries around the world. Panama joined this initiative in 2017, hoping to benefit from Chinese investments.
Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino announced the withdrawal after a visit from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Although some analysts think the U.S. pressured Panama to make this decision, Mulino insisted that it was not influenced by the U.S. He questioned what benefits the BRI had brought to Panama over the years.
China reacted strongly to Panama’s exit, accusing the U.S. of trying to undermine China’s efforts in Latin America. A Chinese spokesperson criticized the U.S. for using pressure tactics and for blaming China unfairly, suggesting that these actions reveal a desire for dominance in the region.
Rubio praised Panama’s decision as a positive step for U.S.-Panama relations, especially since he had previously expressed concerns about Chinese influence over the Panama Canal, a crucial waterway for global trade.
Panama’s exit from the BRI highlights shifting alliances in Latin America, with increasing tensions between China and the U.S. as they vie for influence in the region.
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Publish date : 2025-02-19 22:39:00
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