Key Points —The United States, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago signed a joint statement backing Panama’s sovereignty against Chinese economic pressure. —China detained 91 Panama-flagged ships in March alone, up from 25 in January, after Panama revoked CK Hutchison’s canal port concession. —Beijing dismissed the statement as a smear, accusing Washington […]
The post U.S. and 5 Allies Warn China Over Panama Ship Detentions appeared first on The Rio Times.
Key Points —The United States, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay, and Trinidad and Tobago signed a joint statement backing Panama’s sovereignty against Chinese economic pressure. —China detained 91 Panama-flagged ships in March alone, up from 25 in January, after Panama revoked CK Hutchison’s canal port concession. —Beijing dismissed the statement as a smear, accusing Washington […]
The United States led a group of regional countries in calling China’s actions during a dispute over the Panama Canal a “threat,” prompting backlash from Beijing on Wednesday.
Port of Balboa, Panama Canal. File photo: Hutchison Ports PPC, via Facebook.
Washington and Beijing accuse each other of seeking to control the Panama Canal, a vital trade link between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Panama took control of two of the canal’s ports previously operated by a Hong Kong-based conglom
The United States led a group of regional countries in calling China’s actions during a dispute over the Panama Canal a “threat,” prompting backlash from Beijing on Wednesday.
Port of Balboa, Panama Canal. File photo: Hutchison Ports PPC, via Facebook.
Washington and Beijing accuse each other of seeking to control the Panama Canal, a vital trade link between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Panama took control of two of the canal’s ports previously operated by a Hong Kong-based conglomerate following a decision by the Panamanian Supreme Court in January.
Since then, Washington has alleged China detained two Panama-flagged ships in response to the takeover, while China has threatened Panama with payback and rejected the US claims.
The United States led countries including Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday in calling China’s actions “a blatant attempt to politicize maritime trade and infringe on the sovereignty of the nations of our hemisphere”.
“Panama is a pillar of our maritime trading system, and as such must remain free from any undue external pressure,” the US State Department said in the joint statement.
“Any attempts to undermine Panama’s sovereignty are a threat to us all.”
China’s foreign ministry slammed the statement as a “smear” on Wednesday.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian during a press conference. File photo: China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“It is the United States that is politicizing and over-securitizing the port issue,” ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a news briefing.
“It is the United States that is hypocritically posturing and spreading rumors and smears everywhere.”
Trump returned to office last year vowing to seize back US control of the Panama Canal, which was handed over in a deal reached by former president Jimmy Carter, who vowed that the US would respect its sovereignty.
After Panama’s moves against the Hong Kong-based company, Trump declared victory and the canal issue largely disappeared as a point of contention between the countries.
In a national security strategy last year, the Trump administration vowed aggressively to promote US interests in Latin America against outside powers led by China.
Key Points — US oil cargoes transiting the Panama Canal exceeded 200,000 barrels per day in April 2026 — close to the highest level since July 2022, according to maritime intelligence firm Kpler. The Panama Canal oil traffic surge reflects Asian refineries’ rapid pivot to American crude as Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of […]
The post Panama Canal Oil Traffic Hits 4-Year High on Hormuz Crisis appeared first on The Rio Times.
Key Points — US oil cargoes transiting the Panama Canal exceeded 200,000 barrels per day in April 2026 — close to the highest level since July 2022, according to maritime intelligence firm Kpler. The Panama Canal oil traffic surge reflects Asian refineries’ rapid pivot to American crude as Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of […]
Peru F-16 Crisis: Chancellor and Defence Minister Resign, US Ambassador Threatens Reprisals, MEF Pays $462M Anyway — Brazil Expands Minha Casa Minha Vida to R$600,000, Middle Class Enters Housing Programme — Argentina: Milei Bans All 60 Journalists from Casa Rosada, Hosts Peter Thiel Same Day, Approval Crashes to 14th of 18 LATAM Leaders — Peru […]
The post Latin American Pulse for Saturday, April 25, 2026 appeared first on The Rio Times.
Peru F-16 Crisis: Chancellor and Defence Minister Resign, US Ambassador Threatens Reprisals, MEF Pays $462M Anyway — Brazil Expands Minha Casa Minha Vida to R$600,000, Middle Class Enters Housing Programme — Argentina: Milei Bans All 60 Journalists from Casa Rosada, Hosts Peter Thiel Same Day, Approval Crashes to 14th of 18 LATAM Leaders — Peru […]
Key Points — NOAA’s April 2026 outlook gives a 61% probability of El Niño emergence in the May-July window rising to 62% for June-August, with a 1-in-3 chance the event classifies as “strong” during October-December 2026. — A moderate-to-strong event would cut Andean GDP by 0.6-1.7 percentage points, threaten 50% of LATAM’s hydro-dependent electricity supply, […]
The post Latin America’s Silent 2026 Risk: A Returning El Niño appeared first on The Rio Times.
Key Points — NOAA’s April 2026 outlook gives a 61% probability of El Niño emergence in the May-July window rising to 62% for June-August, with a 1-in-3 chance the event classifies as “strong” during October-December 2026. — A moderate-to-strong event would cut Andean GDP by 0.6-1.7 percentage points, threaten 50% of LATAM’s hydro-dependent electricity supply, […]
During release trials, individuals of 'Atelopus zeteki' were monitored for 12 weeks using skin tests: only 30% survived, and all tested positive for chitrid fungus (Bd) infection.
The conservation program aims to answer key questions: how to reintroduce the ‘Atelopus zeteki’, at what life stage to do so, and how to address the impact of the chytrid fungus on its survival.
Roberto Ibañez, director of the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project (PARC), holds a female ‘Atelopus zeteki’ in its reproductive stage as part of efforts to ensure a successful reintroduction.
Golden frogs belong to the harlequin frog family (Atelopus), which is highly susceptible to chytrid fungus. According to research associate Gina Della Torre, about 41% of the world’s amphibians are at risk of extinction.
The species is endemic to Panama and was originally found in the mountainous regions of central Panama, such as the Antón Valley. The chitrid fungus has been the primary cause of the collapse of the 'Atelopus zeteki' population in the wild, affecting its skin and leading to death.
These facilities are home to more than 2,000 amphibians representing 12 species, including 150 golden toads at various life stages. 'Atelopus zeteki' is a toxic species: its skin produces compounds that protect it from predators. Its color and markings vary from one individual to another, serving as a warning signal in the wild.
Hormuz Reopened: Iran Declares Strait “Completely Open,” Brent Crashes 9% Below $90, WTI Hits $83 Intraday — Trump: “Deal Is Close,” Claims Iran Will Suspend Nuclear Programme and Ship 441kg Uranium to US — Tehran: “Nothing Is Certain Yet” — Petrobras Crashes ~7%, Ibovespa Falls Third Straight Session to 195,733 (−0.55%), but Real Strengthens to […]
The post Latin American Pulse for Saturday, April 18, 2026 appeared first on The Rio Times.
Hormuz Reopened: Iran Declares Strait “Completely Open,” Brent Crashes 9% Below $90, WTI Hits $83 Intraday — Trump: “Deal Is Close,” Claims Iran Will Suspend Nuclear Programme and Ship 441kg Uranium to US — Tehran: “Nothing Is Certain Yet” — Petrobras Crashes ~7%, Ibovespa Falls Third Straight Session to 195,733 (−0.55%), but Real Strengthens to […]
Key Points — At least 108,838 people were murdered across Latin America and the Caribbean in 2025, with contract killings accounting for a growing share in countries from Colombia to Peru — In Bogotá, half of all homicides are now classified as sicariato — professional hits carried out as outsourced services between criminal networks, with […]
The post How Latin America Turned Murder Into a Flourishing Global Industry appeared first on The Rio Times.
Key Points — At least 108,838 people were murdered across Latin America and the Caribbean in 2025, with contract killings accounting for a growing share in countries from Colombia to Peru — In Bogotá, half of all homicides are now classified as sicariato — professional hits carried out as outsourced services between criminal networks, with […]
Key Points — The IMF’s April WEO cut global growth to 3.1% (down 0.2pp from January) and raised global inflation to 4.4%, citing the Iran war as the primary risk. Chief Economist Gourinchas said the world is “somewhere between the baseline and the adverse scenario.” — Latin America was raised to 2.3% growth (up 0.1pp), […]
The post Brazil Upgraded, Argentina Cut, Bolivia in Freefall: The IMF’s New Latin America Growth Map appeared first on The Rio Times.
Key Points — The IMF’s April WEO cut global growth to 3.1% (down 0.2pp from January) and raised global inflation to 4.4%, citing the Iran war as the primary risk. Chief Economist Gourinchas said the world is “somewhere between the baseline and the adverse scenario.” — Latin America was raised to 2.3% growth (up 0.1pp), […]
The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, attended the 15th birthday celebration of the teenagers at the Solidaridad con Panamá School. From there, students and teachers of the institution sent greetings to the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz
The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, attended the 15th birthday celebration of the teenagers at the Solidaridad con Panamá School. From there, students and teachers of the institution sent greetings to the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz
Key Points — The Dominican Republic welcomed 223,328 tourists during Holy Week — up 14.8% year-on-year — as European carriers redirected flights from Greece, Turkey, and Egypt toward Caribbean destinations after Middle East airspace closures grounded over 20,000 flights — Brazil recorded 2.6 million international arrivals in January–February 2026 (+22%), Costa Rica hit 653,959 (+10.4%), […]
The post War Reshapes Latin America’s Tourism Map appeared first on The Rio Times.
Key Points — The Dominican Republic welcomed 223,328 tourists during Holy Week — up 14.8% year-on-year — as European carriers redirected flights from Greece, Turkey, and Egypt toward Caribbean destinations after Middle East airspace closures grounded over 20,000 flights — Brazil recorded 2.6 million international arrivals in January–February 2026 (+22%), Costa Rica hit 653,959 (+10.4%), […]
A subsidiary of Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison said on Tuesday it filed an arbitration against shipping giant Maersk, accusing the Danish group of seeking to replace its operations in the Panama Canal.
Port of Balboa, Panama Canal. File photo: Hutchison Ports PPC, via Facebook.
The Panama Ports Company said in a statement that Maersk broke a contract by siding with Panamanian authorities in a dispute over the waterway that saw a court annul in January the PPC’s rights to manage two k
A subsidiary of Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison said on Tuesday it filed an arbitration against shipping giant Maersk, accusing the Danish group of seeking to replace its operations in the Panama Canal.
Port of Balboa, Panama Canal. File photo: Hutchison Ports PPC, via Facebook.
The Panama Ports Company said in a statement that Maersk broke a contract by siding with Panamanian authorities in a dispute over the waterway that saw a court annul in January the PPC’s rights to manage two key ports.
“Maersk undermined the contract and aligned with the Republic of Panama in connection with its State campaign against PPC and scheme to replace it through a takeover that installed new port operators,” the company said.
The arbitration will be held in London, PPC said, adding that the claim against Maersk is separate from “ongoing steps by PPC to hold Panama to account for its anti-contract and anti-investor conduct”.
The PPC said that since the takeover in January, a Maersk-affiliated port operator has utilised PPC facilities and information under a “pre-arranged concession contract” to manage the Balboa terminal.
Panama declared in February that a Maersk subsidiary, APM Terminals, would operate the port of Balboa, and that Terminal Investment Limited, owned by the logistics giant MSC, would manage the port of Cristobal.
The PPC filed a lawsuit opposing the suspension of its Panama Canal operations in February, and announced a month later it was seeking at least US$2 billion in damages.
Panama has been caught up in broader tensions between the United States and China, with President Donald Trump last year claiming, without evidence, that China effectively runs the canal.
The United States last week reiterated accusations that China had detained Panama-flagged ships in response to the takeover of the key ports — claims Beijing said were fabricated.
The Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, handles about 40 percent of US container traffic and five percent of world trade.
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