Recalling Omar Torrijos, Maduro specified that he demolished the last stake of colonialism on Panamanian soil.    Photo: EFE

Caracas, December 27 (RHC)-- Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro rejected on Thursday the imperialist and colonialist claims over the peoples of America, including Panama, following the annexationist statements of the President-elect of the United States, Donald Trump.

Recalling Omar Torrijos, the Venezuelan leader specified that he demolished the last stake of colonialism on Panamanian soil, while asserting that "we feel Omar Torrijos, the greatest Bolivarian born in Panama (…), the man who rescued dignity and independence." He said: 'Standing or dead, but never on our knees.'

The message sent by the Venezuelan president comes after recent statements by Donald Trump, who threatened to retake control of the Panama Canal with the "justification" that the country charges very high fees for using the waterway. Trump also said he was concerned about Chinese influence in the region.

Meanwhile, the President of Panama, José Raúl Mulino, declared this Thursday that no military contingent from China is present in the Panama Canal.

In that sense, the Panamanian government firmly rejected the possibility of dialoguing with the United States about the Panama Canal.

Likewise, it categorically denied the existence of Chinese soldiers or any other nationality in the interoceanic Canal, and specified that its relationship with China is respectful and based on common interests.

In recent days, the Government of Venezuela reiterated its support for Panama's sovereignty, which "was conquered through the heroic efforts of President Omar Torrijos."