Panama’s President, Jose Raul Mulino, has accused an official at the U.S. Embassy of threatening to revoke visas for Panamanian officials. The remarks come amid heightened tensions between the United States and China, with the Trump administration pressuring Panama to limit its engagement with Beijing.
During a weekly news conference, Mulino stated that an embassy official was “threatening to take visas,” though he provided no evidence to support the claim. He emphasized that such actions were inconsistent with his desire to maintain positive relations with the United States. The official involved was not named.
The U.S. Embassy in Panama has not yet responded to requests for comment. The Trump administration has historically avoided commenting on specific visa decisions. However, in September, the U.S. Department of State expressed concerns about China’s growing influence in Central America, stating it would restrict visas for individuals associated with the Chinese Communist Party or those undermining regional democracy on behalf of China.
Earlier this month, the U.S. revoked the visas of six foreigners who had made derogatory comments about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Similar incidents have occurred in other parts of the region. In April, former Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, reported that his visa was canceled by the U.S. Embassy. In July, Vanessa Castro, vice president of Costa Rica’s Congress, claimed her visa was revoked due to alleged ties with the Chinese Communist Party.
The strategic importance of the Panama Canal has made Panama particularly sensitive to U.S.-China tensions. In February, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Panama, urging the country to reduce China’s influence over the canal. While Panama has denied any Chinese control over canal operations, it has complied with U.S. pressure to push a Hong Kong-based company operating the canal’s ports to sell its concession to a new consortium.
Mulino has reaffirmed Panama’s commitment to maintaining the canal’s neutrality. He criticized the U.S. approach, stating, “They’re free to give and take a visa to anyone they want, but not threatening that, ‘If you don’t do something, I’ll take the visa.'” He also noted that the broader conflict between the U.S. and China “doesn’t involve Panama.”
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