US 'Democracy' Threatened by Panama's 'Questionable' China Ties
Panama's president, Mulino, expresses confusion, stating this policy is 'not coherent' with the 'good relationship' he hopes to have with the U.S. One might wonder if 'good relationship' in Washington-speak translates to 'unquestioning fealty.' This isn't new; the U.S. has a storied history of punishing nations that stray from its geopolitical orbit, whether it’s Cuba's economic blockade or
Nicaragua's 1980s 'support for democracy' operation. The 'rules-based order' always seems to apply more stringently to those without overwhelming military and economic might. Apparently, sovereign nations are free to choose their trade partners, just so long as those partners aren't, you know, China . The hypocrisy isn't lost on anyone paying attention: Washington chastises Beijing for 'economic
coercion' while allegedly wielding visa revocations behind the scenes. This appears to be less about 'security' and more about maintaining an economic chokehold, regardless of Panama's own national interests or stated foreign policy.