LatinNews Daily - 30 April 2026

*China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian has condemned renewed international backing for Panama over claims that China has detained Panama-flagged vessels in response to a January 2026 Panamanian supreme court ruling striking down a concession for two ports on the Panama Canal, awarded to Panama Ports Company (PPC), a subsidiary of Hong Kong-headquartered CK Hutchison Holdings. Lin was responding to a 28 April joint statement by the US, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago, which said that they were “monitoring with vigilance China’s targeted economic pressure and the recent actions that have affected Panama-flagged vessels”. The joint statement, which follows an earlier show of international support for Panama this month over the issue, described these as “a blatant attempt to politicize maritime trade and infringe on the sovereignty of the nations of our hemisphere”, stating that “any attempts to undermine Panama’s sovereignty are a threat to us all”. In response to a question from a reporter regarding the statement of support, Lin said the accusations against China were “completely groundless” and accused the US of politicising the “ports issue”, accusing it of acting with hypocrisy, spreading rumours, and seeking to discredit others. He said that China is carrying out “normal inspections” of vessels “in line with laws and regulations”. On 10 April maritime data and intelligence company Lloyd’s List Intelligence reported that “Panama-flag detentions in Chinese ports hit 92 in March – 4.5 times the 2025 monthly average – and remain elevated into April, with no sign of Beijing easing its enforcement drive”.

End of preview - This article contains approximately 255 words.

Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article

Not a Subscriber?

Choose from one of the following options

• Subscribe
• Sign up for a one-time, 14-day trial