It's unclear how the issue of ownership of the Panama Canal became a talking point for President-elect Donald Trump this week, but the question has a long political history.

Treaties ratified by the Senate in 1978 established permanent neutrality, but some Republicans regret that decision.

As for the Panama Canal, Mulino denied U.S. vessels are being overcharged to use the waterway and emphasized that China plays no role in the canal. A Hong Kong-based firm manages two ports at the Panama Canal’s entrances, but Panama owns and operates the entire canal.

With Trump floating aggressive desires to acquire foreign territories like the Panama Canal, Greenland, and Canada, ambassador confirmations could get messy.

As Trump targets Panama with needlessly caustic bombast, he's chosen a would-be ambassador who might not be especially well suited for a job in diplomacy.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has picked Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera to serve as ambassador to Panama after having threatened for the U.S. to reassert control over the Panama Canal it handed over 25 years ago.

US President-elect Donald Trump has named his new ambassador to Panama as he threatens to regain American control of the Panama Canal.