Iran Press/America: Earlier, US President-elect Donald Trump had threatened to take back the Panama Canal due to "ridiculous" fees being charged to pass through, bemoaning that the US "foolishly gave it away."
Trump has accused Panama of imposing exorbitant costs on US shipping and the Navy in the Panama Canal.
"If the principles, both moral and legal, of this magnanimous gesture of giving are not followed, then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America, in full, quickly and without question," Trump told a crowd of supporters at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest in Arizona.
According to Iran Press, Panama's president Jose Raul Mulino said Sunday that the canal will "continue to be in Panamanian hands".
Every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjacent area belong to Panama and "will remain so," and "the sovereignty and independence of our country are not negotiable," Mulino said in a social media video post.
The US President-elect also stated in response to the Panamanian President's position, "We'll see about that!."
Trump's statements in recent days about the independence of other countries have raised concerns.
Recently, Trump referred to Canada as the 51st State of America during a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, though a Canadian official later described his comments as a joke.
Trump's request to acquire Greenland has unsettled Danish officials.
"For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity," Trump said in a post to Truth Social on Howery.
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