As Washington threatens and Panama refusing to back down, a struggle to control this key trade, security and immigration chokepoint appears certain. Prepare now!

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday he had "zero doubt" that China has a contingency plan to shut down the Panama Canal in the event of a conflict with the U.S. and that Washington intends to address what it sees as a national security threat.

Jose Raul Mulino said he won't discuss control of the canal during the secretary of state's visit. Rubio, in contrast, said "we're going to address that topic."

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino on Thursday ruled out discussing control over the Panama Canal in a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who is set to visit the Central American country in his first official trip abroad this weekend.

Marco Rubio is making his first overseas trip as U.S. Secretary of State. One country in particular will be getting a lot of attention: Panama and its canal.

Panama President José Raúl Mulino said Thursday there will be no negotiation with the United States over ownership of the Panama Canal, and he hopes U.S.

Rubio's boss, President Trump, says Panama should give the Panama Canal back to the U.S. But Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino said this week that’s “impossible,” and a U.S. military seizure of the canal looks unlikely.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Marco Rubio embarks this weekend on his first foreign trip in office, heading to Central America to press President Donald Trump's top priority — curbing illegal immigration — and bring the message that the U.S. wants to reclaim control over the Panama Canal despite intense resistance from regional leaders.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says President Donald Trump's desire to acquire Greenland and retake control of the Panama Canal is driven by legitimate national security interests stemming from growing concerns about Chinese activity and influence in the Arctic and in Latin America.

Newly confirmed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is embarking on a tour of Central America to counter China's influence. The diplomatic tour will take Rubio to meet with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino,

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will make clear to Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino in an upcoming visit that the Panama Canal is a strategic asset and cannot be under Chinese control, a senior U.S. official told reporters on Friday.