Won't renew Belt and Road deal with China, says Panama president amid US pressure

Panama has decided not to renew its participation in Chinas Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), making it the first Latin American nation to leave the programme. President José Raúl Mulino stated that his administration would assess whether an early termination is possible. The announcement follows discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who relayed Washingtons concerns over Chinese influence in the Panama Canal region.