Panama President: US Spreads “Lies And Falsehoods”

Reuters reports:

Panama President José Raúl Mulino said on Thursday the U.S. was spreading “lies and falsehoods” after the State Department claimed U.S. government vessels would be able to pass through the Panama Canal without paying.

The comments were likely to exacerbate tensions between the two countries after the U.S. had cited progress on military cooperation and confronting alleged Chinese influence over the canal. Later, Mulino added on social media that he would speak to U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday afternoon.

The Panama Canal Authority issued a statement late on Wednesday, rejecting the State Department’s claim that Panama’s government had agreed to no longer charge crossing fees for U.S. government vessels, a move that would save the U.S. millions of dollars a year.

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Panama’s president denies a State Department claim that the country agreed to waive canal fees for the US, calling it a “falsehood.” pic.twitter.com/9ZHEjk7755

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) February 6, 2025