Two lawyers in Panama have filed a lawsuit to annul a port concession granted to a Hong Kong company, citing constitutional issues. This legal move follows remarks from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging Panama to curb Chinese influence. The concession, awarded in 1997, may face revocation if the court accepts the case. The Panamanian government seeks to prevent U.S. interference, especially amid concerns regarding military and economic pressures while navigating diplomatic relations with both the U.S. and China.
After a detailed analysis of the contract, we decided that an action for unconstitutionality was the appropriate means to challenge the concession, Julio Macias, one of the lawyers behind the suit, told AFP.
Panama's government is anxious to avoid a scenario in which the US takes the canal by force or obliges them to meaningfully change the fee structures which are applied equally to ships of all countries and based on market conditions.
In December, Trump vowed to take back the canal, prompting widespread indignation in Panama, but within days of his threat, Panama's comptroller general announced an audit of the ports contract.
Following Rubio's visit on Sunday, President Mulino agreed to tougher restrictions on irregular migration through the Darien Gap and would not renew Panama's membership in China's Belt and Road initiative.
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