US Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to travel to Panama next week amid US President Donald Trump's statements about his intention to return the Panama Canal to US control, Bloomberg reports, citing a source familiar with the situation.
The secretary of state plans to visit Guatemala, El Salvador and Costa Rica as well. This is expected to be Rubio's first overseas trip since taking office.
Trump said in his inauguration speech that the US intends to regain control of the Panama Canal, which he said was "foolishly given to Panama" but has now fallen under Chinese influence. He also accused Panama of unfairly treating American ships, including U.S. Navy ships, claiming that the United States faces inflated fees for using the canal.
Panamanian leader José Raúl Mulino has strongly rejected Trump's claims of seeking control of the Panama Canal.
The Panama Canal is an artificial waterway in Panama, Central America, crossing the Isthmus of Panama at its lowest point and connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It is one of the most important transportation waterways of international importance.