Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
The lawsuit was filed on Friday, February 21, against Hutchison Holdings' contract. This company, headquartered in Hong Kong, owns the subsidiary Panama Ports, which was granted a concession by the Panama Maritime Authority to operate the ports at both entrances of the Panama Canal: Balboa and Cristóbal.
This concession began in 1997 with a 25-year duration and was renewed in 2021 for the same period. However, in early February, the first lawsuit was filed against it, deeming it unconstitutional. Additionally, the Panama Ports subsidiary is under audit by the Panamanian Comptroller's Office to verify compliance with its financial obligations to the State.
The management of the Panama Canal is significant due to its impact on global maritime trade, with China and the United States being its main international users. However, Panama has faced pressure from the U.S. since the beginning of the Trump administration, which expressed concerns over China’s involvement in the ports granting access to the canal, considering it a potential threat.
Main Source:
Nueva demanda contra una empresa china que opera puertos en el canal de Panamá – W Radio
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Nueva demanda contra una empresa china que opera puertos en el canal de Panamá – Swiss Info
