U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, recently visited Panama to emphasize the strategic importance of the Panama Canal for U.S. trade and national security. The Senate Commerce Committee oversees matters related to the canal due to its significance in global commerce.
During his visit, Sen. Cruz met with Panamanian officials including Minister of Economy and Finance Felipe Chapman, Minister of Public Security Frank Abrego, and Panama Canal Authority Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez Morales. Discussions focused on concerns about growing Chinese influence in the region and its potential impact on both American and Panamanian security.
Sen. Cruz stated, “There is undoubtedly a strong Chinese presence, and I believe a threat to the canal. The purpose of my visit is number one, to try to strengthen the longtime friendship and alliance between the United States and Panama. And number two, I’m the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which, among other things, has jurisdiction over the Panama Canal and the Panama Canal is vital, both to national security and economic security of the United States and Panama.”
Previously, Sen. Cruz led a hearing examining challenges faced by maritime industries in the region such as capacity issues and increased transit fees. At that hearing, senators expressed concerns about China’s expanding role in Panama’s infrastructure near the canal as well as allegations regarding management practices that could violate existing treaties.
Following this hearing, an initial agreement was announced for an American company to take primary control of Port Balboa and Port Cristobal—two major container ports at either end of the canal—but implementation has been delayed due to reported pressure from China seeking involvement in these operations.
Sen. Cruz said,“China is not America’s friend, and China is not Panama’s friend, and if God forbid, a military conflict emerges between the United States and China, I believe there is an unacceptable risk that China would act to shut down the Panama Canal, which would have a devastating impact on the United States and an even worse impact on Panama…
“There is strong American interest in expanding and improving commerce and transportation through the Panama Canal. The United States built the Panama Canal more than a century ago and our nations have been close friends for a long, long time. The economies of both the United States and Panama benefit enormously from the Panama Canal, and there are strong American interests in investing in ports on both ends of the Panama Canal and assisting in new infrastructure, whether it is gas pipelines to transport gas from one end to the other or whether it is building a new reservoir and expanding the ability to ensure there’s sufficient water to operate the canal at maximum capacity.”
Ted Cruz has held his seat since 2012 after defeating Paul Sadler in that year’s general election with 56.5% of votes compared to Sadler’s 40.6%. He was re-elected in 2018 against Beto O’Rourke with 50.9% versus 48.3%, then again in 2024 by defeating Colin Allred with 53.1% over Allred’s 44.6%.
