<p>Mexico City: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed support for Panama's government on Monday after US President-elect Donald Trump threatened to reassert US control over the Panama Canal on Sunday.</p>.<p>"Indeed, the Panama Canal belongs to the Panamanians," Sheinbaum said, speaking during her regular morning press conference.</p>.<p>Sheinbaum's comments came one day after Trump accused Panama of charging excessive rates to use the Central American passage while speaking to a crowd of supporters in Arizona. After the event, he posted an image on Truth Social of an American flag flying over a narrow body of water, with the comment: "Welcome to the United States Canal!"</p>.Trump threatens to retake control of Panama Canal unless deal reached.<p>Trump's comments were an exceedingly rare example of a US leader saying he could push a sovereign country to hand over territory.</p>.<p>Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino swiftly denounced Trump's comments.</p>.<p>"Every square meter of the Panama Canal and the surrounding area belongs to Panama and will continue belonging (to Panama)," Mulino said in a statement released on X.</p>
<p>Mexico City: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed support for Panama's government on Monday after US President-elect Donald Trump threatened to reassert US control over the Panama Canal on Sunday.</p>.<p>"Indeed, the Panama Canal belongs to the Panamanians," Sheinbaum said, speaking during her regular morning press conference.</p>.<p>Sheinbaum's comments came one day after Trump accused Panama of charging excessive rates to use the Central American passage while speaking to a crowd of supporters in Arizona. After the event, he posted an image on Truth Social of an American flag flying over a narrow body of water, with the comment: "Welcome to the United States Canal!"</p>.Trump threatens to retake control of Panama Canal unless deal reached.<p>Trump's comments were an exceedingly rare example of a US leader saying he could push a sovereign country to hand over territory.</p>.<p>Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino swiftly denounced Trump's comments.</p>.<p>"Every square meter of the Panama Canal and the surrounding area belongs to Panama and will continue belonging (to Panama)," Mulino said in a statement released on X.</p>