Panama Says It Will Not Renew ‘Belt and Road’ Agreement With China After Rubio Visit

The announcement followed President José Raúl Mulino’s meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Panama City on Feb. 2.

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino speaks during a press conference after a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (not in frame) at the presidential palace in Panama City on Feb. 2, 2025. Arnulfo Franco/AFP via Getty Images

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino said on Feb. 2 that his country will not renew its memorandum of understanding with the Chinese regime to be a part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Speaking to reporters, Mulino said the agreement is due for renewal in two years and his government is looking into the possibility of terminating it earlier, according to local media reports.