UN Security Council meets on Panama Canal security amid US-China tensions

The UN Security Council convened to address maritime security issues surrounding the Panama Canal, with member states expressing differing perspectives on its governance and geopolitical significance. Panama’s President Jose Raul Mulino stated that the council’s role was not only to reduce the activities of criminal terrorist groups, but it is also to protect peace among nations.

He said Panama is expanding port infrastructure, integrating energy corridors, and preparing for smarter, greener and more planet-conscious transit to meet future trade demands. The Chinese Ambassador to the UN reiterated its support for Panama’s sovereignty over the canal and stressed its respect for the waterway’s permanent neutrality.

The United States voiced concerns over what it described as China’s “outsized influence” on the canal’s critical infrastructure and port operations. Additionally, the US raised concerns about Iran’s role in supporting armed groups and seizing vessels in international waters, calling for the release of ships still in its custody.