Panama exits China’s Belt and Road Initiative – which Latin American country is next?

TOPSHOT - Handout picture released by Panama's Presidency press office showing Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino (L) greeting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on arrival at the presidential palace in Panama City on February 2, 2025. Rubio arrived on the eve on his debut trip abroad as US secretary of state, as he looks for how to follow up on President Donald Trump's extraordinary threat to seize the Panama Canal. (Photo by Handout / PANAMA'S PRESIDENCY PRESS OFFICE / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT 'AFP PHOTO / PANAMA'S PRESIDENCY PRESS OFFICE' - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino (left) welcoming US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the presidential palace in Panama City on Feb 2.

PHOTO: AFP

Lim Min Zhang

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BEIJING - A great power rivalry between the US and China over Latin America – a region often described as the US’ backyard – appears to be heating up.

Panama became the second country to

leave China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)

– after Italy in December 2023 – soon after new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Latin America in early February.

Panama exits China’s Belt and Road Initiative – which Latin American country is next?

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