US, Latin America countries criticise China’s retaliation over Panama Canal

Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States have released a joint statement supporting Panama while criticizing China's economic retaliation after a Hong Kong-based conglomerate lost a legal dispute over the management of Panama Canal ports. Panama's Supreme Court annulled contracts allowing a subsidiary of CK Hutchison to manage the Balboa and Cristobal terminals, deeming them unconstitutional. The six countries claim that China has exerted targeted economic pressure on Panamanian-flagged ships, detaining nearly 70 in March.