April 28 - A coalition led by the United States and joined by Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago issued a public declaration on Tuesday supporting Panama's sovereignty and raising concern over recent actions attributed to China.
The statement said the signatories were "monitoring with vigilance China’s targeted economic pressure and the recent actions that have affected Panama-flagged vessels." It added that "Panama is a pillar of our maritime trading system, and as such must remain free from any undue external pressure."
The diplomatic expression of support comes after a January ruling by Panama's Supreme Court that nullified the legal framework for the 1997 concession allowing CK Hutchison’s Panama Ports Company to operate the Balboa and Cristobal terminals on the Pacific and Atlantic entrances to the Panama Canal. The concession had granted CK Hutchison the right to operate those key terminals for nearly three decades.
CK Hutchison has publicly rejected that judicial decision, characterizing the action as an unlawful seizure of property by Panamanian authorities. The company has launched an international arbitration proceeding against Panama, seeking damages in excess of $2 billion.
Following the court ruling, there was an observable increase in detentions and inspections of vessels flying the Panamanian flag in China. The joint statement by the United States and its partners framed those incidents as part of an effort to politicize maritime trade and to apply economic pressure on Panama.
The Panama Canal plays a significant role in global shipping flows; the parties to the statement noted that Panama remains central to the maritime trading system and must be protected from undue external influence. The document did not propose specific measures beyond the expression of vigilance and support for Panama's sovereign rights.
Contextual note - The information in this report is limited to the events and claims presented in the official statements and the reported court ruling and company response. No additional actions or responses beyond those described have been verified here.