Panama President José Raúl Mulino stated there will be no negotiations with the U.S. over ownership of the Panama Canal, emphasizing that it belongs to Panama.

He downplayed tensions regarding U.S. President Trump’s past remarks about retaking the canal, clarifying that while China manages some canal ports, Panama controls the waterway.

Mulino expressed hope that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit would focus on shared interests, such as migration and combating drug trafficking, the Associated Press has reported.

Rubio is scheduled to meet with Mulino and visit the canal on Sunday.

Written by B.C. Begley