According to the Associated Press on October 16, Panama's President Monino stated during a regular press conference that the U.S. government is currently pressuring Panama to "limit its relations with China." Monino also said that officials from the U.S. embassy have threatened to cancel visas for Panamanian officials if the Panamanian government does not cooperate.

Monino stated at the press conference that the U.S. approach was inconsistent with its "desire to maintain good relations with the United States."

President of Panama, Monino, Associated Press

U.S. Ambassador to Panama, Cabrera, stated in a statement released on the same day: "Visas are a privilege, not a right." Cabrera also cited a policy published by the U.S. Department of State in September, which limits the issuance of visas to Central American citizens who are "alleged to undermine the rule of law in the region on behalf of China."

Cabrera claimed: "We revoke and deny visas based on our country's laws and regulations, regardless of a person's profession or government position."

In fact, the United States has frequently used visa policies as a diplomatic tool in Central and South America recently.

In April this year, Oscar Arias, former president of Costa Rica and a Nobel Peace Prize winner, also said that the U.S. had revoked his visa. In July, Vanessa Castro, vice president of the Costa Rican Congress, stated that the U.S. embassy informed her that the U.S. had revoked her visa, citing the reason that she "was suspected of maintaining ties with China."

In September, Colombian President Gustavo Petro attended the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he strongly condemned the Trump administration and called for a criminal investigation into the recent U.S. attacks on ships in the Caribbean. The U.S. State Department then stated that it would revoke Petro's visa.

After the Trump administration came into power, the U.S. repeatedly raised the issue of the Panama Canal, with President Trump even once demanding that Panama "hand over" the canal to the U.S. In addition, the U.S. continues to promote the "China threat theory" and uses it to pressure Panama. After Secretary of State Rubio took office, his first overseas visit was to Panama. He then claimed that "China will control the U.S.'s neighboring countries through political and economic means to counter the U.S." and warned Panama to weaken China's influence over the canal.

On February 2, Rubio met with Panama's President Monino. Reuters

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