Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino on Thursday denied the U.S. State Department’s claim that his country had reached a deal allowing U.S. warships to transit the Panama Canal for free.

Mulino said he had told U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Wednesday that he could neither set the fees to transit the canal nor exempt anyone from them and that he was surprised by the U.S. State Department’s statement suggesting otherwise late Wednesday.

The Panama Canal Authority adds it has 'not made any adjustments' to the fees, contradicting the U.S. State Department{ai:summary}<p>Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino refuted the U.S. State Department's assertion that a deal was in place for U.S. warships to transit the Panama Canal without fees. Mulino clarified that he lacks the authority to set or exempt transit fees. </p><p>He expressed surprise at the U.S. statement, emphasizing his conversation with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth where he made his position clear. #foreignaffairs</p>

Panama’s president denies allowing U.S. ship to transit the canal for free

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