Panama orders control of canal ports operated by Hong Kong firm after Supreme Court ruling

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by Associated PressFebruary 23, 2026 at 05:45 PM

AI Summary

short article 1 min

The Panamanian government has issued a decree ordering the occupation of two ports at the entrances of the Panama Canal, following a final Supreme Court ruling that declared the operating concession held by Hong Kong-based company CK Hutchison unconstitutional. The occupation, authorized by the Panama Maritime Authority, includes all movable property within or outside the Balboa and Cristobal terminals. This move comes after US President Donald Trump accused China of "running the Panama Canal" last year, drawing Panama into a broader rivalry between the United States and China. A sale of the ports to a consortium including US investment firm BlackRock was halted by the Chinese government following the Supreme Court ruling. The occupation is part of a broader saga surrounding the two Panamanian ports, which were previously scheduled for sale.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Cristobal 40% BlackRock 40% Donald Trump 50% Balboa ×250% China ×260% United States ×260% Panama Ports Company (PPC) 65% Panama Maritime Authority 70% Supreme Court ×275% Panama Canal ×280% CK Hutchison ×485% Panama ×490%

Keywords

panama canal 100% port occupation 90% ck hutchison 80% port concession 70% us-china rivalry 60% supreme court ruling 60% balboa and cristobal terminals 50% panama maritime authority 50% blackrock 40%