Who Actually Operates the Panama Canal? The Claim vs. the Record

Who's who

• Donald Trump+11 more episodesU.S. President who claimed China operated the canal
• José Raúl Mulino+5 more episodesPanama's president; announced exit from Belt and Road
• Marco Rubio+1 more episodeU.S. Secretary of State; visited Panama February 2, 2025
• Pete Hegseth+9 more episodesU.S. Secretary of Defense; used the phrase first and free
• Ricaurte Vásquez MoralesAdministrator of the Panama Canal Authority
• José Ramón IcazaPanama's Minister for Canal Affairs
• Alvin Holsey+1 more episodeCommander of U.S. Southern Command; delivered 2025 posture statement
• Ilya Espino de Marotta+1 more episodeDeputy administrator and chief engineer of the 2016 expansion

Where it happens

• Panama Canal+3 more episodesOperated by the Panama Canal Authority since December 31, 1999
• Balboa, Panama+1 more episodeContainer terminal under the Hong Kong concession
• Cristóbal, Panama+1 more episodeContainer terminal under the Hong Kong concession
• Vasco Núñez de Balboa naval base, PanamaPier dedicated by Hegseth in April 2025

Timeline

1. December 22, 2024Trump says the canal must not fall into the wrong hands; Mulino rejects the claim
2. January 20, 2025Inaugural address claims China is operating the canal
3. February 3, 2025Mulino announces exit from the Belt and Road Initiative
4. February 5-6, 2025State Department announces free transit for U.S. vessels; the canal authority says it made no adjustment
5. February 13, 2025Holsey's Southern Command posture statement
6. April 9, 2025Security memorandum signed; 'first and free' disputed