Panama: US State Department’s Statement Is Based on Lies

Panama's President José Raúl Mulino stated that the US State Department's announcement regarding the cessation of transit fees for US government vessels through the Panama Canal is "based on lies."

"No government or authority can exempt from the payment of fees for services rendered. This is a constitutional limitation... That is why I am very surprised. The State Department’s statement yesterday... is based on lies, and this is unacceptable... Panama expresses its total rejection of the management of bilateral relations based on lies and deceit," Mulino said during a press conference broadcasted by TVN.

Earlier, the US State Department announced that Panama’s authorities had decided to waive fees for vessels belonging to the US government transiting the Panama Canal. It was noted that this measure would allow American authorities to save millions of dollars annually.