In this discussion, Alonso Illueca, an associate law professor at the Universidad Santa María La Antigua and expert on China-Panama relations, dives into the geopolitical tensions surrounding the Panama Canal. He explains how Trump's pressure on Panama could inadvertently strengthen China's influence there. The complexities of Panamanian sovereignty versus U.S. involvement are explored, alongside the strategic responses of Latin American nations navigating these turbulent waters. Illueca also addresses the implications of U.S. aid cuts and shifting alliances in the Global South.

Alonso Illueca, an associate law professor at Universidad Santa María La Antigua and an expert in China-Panama relations, delves into the escalating tensions surrounding the Panama Canal. He discusses Donald Trump's claims of Chinese control and Panama's limited options in countering U.S. pressure. Illueca explores the growing influence of Chinese companies in the region, the implications for U.S.-Panama relations, and how Latin American countries are increasingly looking to China amidst geopolitical shifts. The conversation reveals the strategic significance of the canal in international diplomacy.