U.S. Ambassador to Panama Kevin Marino Cabrera accused China of exerting a “malign influence” around the Panama Canal in an interview with local outlet Contrapeso Panamá. He alleged that Chinese companies, including Hong Kong–based Hutchison Whampoa, owe Panama hundreds of millions of dollars and that China has carried out cyberattacks against countries such as Paraguay, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and the Czech Republic. Cabrera also warned that the U.S. would revoke visas for lawyers, bankers, and businesspeople tied to Chinese state-owned enterprises, asserting that “a visa is a privilege, not a right.”
The Chinese Embassy in Panama sharply rejected Cabrera’s claims, describing them as “baseless and unscientific.” It accused Washington of seeking to sow discord between China and Latin American nations and of undermining regional diplomatic autonomy to advance U.S. geopolitical interests. The embassy also criticized the U.S. for using visa restrictions as a political weapon, stating, “True friends of China are not intimidated – when Mickey Mouse closes his door, the panda opens its arms.”
Beijing further dismissed allegations of corruption and environmental harm by Chinese firms, emphasizing that China’s overseas projects are based on mutual benefit and have contributed significantly to local development. On cyberattack accusations, the embassy labeled the U.S. “the world’s largest hacker and surveillance empire,” calling its claims hypocritical. The statement concluded that American lies and intimidation only expose “arrogance and hypocrisy,” urging Washington to focus instead on genuine regional cooperation and development.
Source: Lianhe Zaobao, October 6, 2025
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/china/story20251006-7622362