In a striking move, the U.S. State Department has revoked the travel visas of former Panama President Martín Torrijos and presidential candidate Ricardo Lombana, both vocal critics of recent agreements made with the Trump administration. At a press conference, Torrijos asserted that this action serves as a warning against dissent, stating, “This is not just about me… criticism of the government’s actions regarding its relations with the United States will not be tolerated.”
The visa revocations follow heightened diplomatic strain, particularly after President Trump expressed his desire to reclaim control over the Panama Canal, a strategic waterway returned to Panama in 1977. Current President José Raúl Mulino's administration has faced backlash for perceived concessions to U.S. interests, including agreeing to accept migrants deported from the U.S. and potentially allowing an increased U.S. military presence at former military bases.
Critics allege that Mulino's government is compromising Panama's sovereignty, particularly after claims surfaced regarding the waiving of fees for American ships using the canal—a claim that the government denies. With Torrijos and Lombana highlighting these contentious issues, the revocation of their visas appears to signal a broader risk for dissenting voices within Panama's political landscape, drawing significant attention to the delicate dynamics of U.S.-Panama relations.
