Ari Shapiro
Appearances
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 34: The Passover Instituted (2025)
The biggest event on his schedule was this meeting with the president of Panama, where apparently Rubio delivered an ultimatum. And I say apparently because Rubio actually did not make any public comments about the canal yesterday.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 34: The Passover Instituted (2025)
But according to a State Department spokesperson, Rubio delivered the message that President Trump has made a preliminary determination that China has too much influence over the canal. He says that violates international treaties. And unless there are immediate changes, the U.S. will do what it has to to protect its rights.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 34: The Passover Instituted (2025)
By the way, Steve, quick fact check on Trump's claims of Chinese influence. While a company based in Hong Kong does operate ports at either end of the canal, Panama runs the canal itself, not China. And there is no Chinese military presence, as Trump has falsely claimed on social media.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 34: The Passover Instituted (2025)
After the meeting yesterday, President José Raúl Mulino said Panama's sovereignty is not in question. And then he gave what you could interpret as kind of a dig at the United States. He's saying, I invited the State Department to promote investment in this country so they can't complain later that investments are coming from other countries.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 34: The Passover Instituted (2025)
That quote doesn't mention China by name, but you can kind of read between the lines there. What are you hearing from the Panamanian people? It's this wave of nationalism, flags flying everywhere, and protests in the streets. I attended a couple marches that shut down main streets here in Panama City.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 34: The Passover Instituted (2025)
One was organized by the Teachers Union, where I met a woman named Mylene Shakespeare, and I asked what she wants Americans to know. Here's what she said. She says, we are taking to the streets to defend our country. The Panama Canal is for Panamanians. Then you hear her recite this rhyming slogan people had been chanting in the march. Basically, no Americans, Panama first.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 34: The Passover Instituted (2025)
So big picture here, the U.S. is not backing down from Trump's threats. Panama is not caving. And the stakes are huge. 40% of all U.S. container traffic goes through the Panama Canal. So it's pretty remarkable for these two countries to be in such a standoff, given how close the U.S. and Panama have been for decades.
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 34: The Passover Instituted (2025)
On to El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic, where he plans to talk about migration and drug trafficking. He's the first Hispanic secretary of state. The State Department says this underscores Trump's message that it's a 21st century of American greatness and countering China.