Panama reaffirms ‘neutrality’ of canal amid Middle East war
Panama reaffirmed the neutrality of the Panama Canal amid heightened global tensions due to the Middle East war and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha emphasized the importance of maintaining stable maritime transit routes during a call with Israel's foreign minister. Increased traffic through the canal reflects its growing role as an alternative shipping route amid regional disruptions.
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Panama reaffirms ‘neutrality’ of canal amid Middle East warSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxShips transit the Panama Canal in Panama City, Panama, on April 28. Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha reasserted the canal’s neutrality.PHOTO: EPAPublished Apr 29, 2026, 03:26 PMUpdated Apr 29, 2026, 03:26 PMPANAMA CITY – Panama reaffirmed on April 28 the “neutrality” of its canal and the “need to preserve” maritime transit routes amid the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz during the Middle East war.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.