Panama⁠ president accuses CK Hutchison subsidiary of lying about arbitration response

2026.03.20 04:50 Balboa port was taken over by Panamanian authorities in February. Photo: Reuters Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino has accused a subsidiary of Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison Holdings of lying about the country’s response to an arbitration initiated by the company over the seizure of two strategic ports. Mulino’s rebuttal on Thursday was in response to claims several days earlier by the Panama Ports Company (PPC) that his government had failed to file a response to the company’s request for arbitration by the deadline of March 13. The company filed the request after the country seized control over terminals at the Balboa and Cristobal ports in February. PPC, a subsidiary of the conglomerate owned by Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing’s family, claimed the government had said it was “not prepared” and would not be able to respond in time because it had not hired any lawyers, “was not familiar with the dispute” and needed time to develop a plan. Mulino reportedly rejected the accusation and said the government was backed by international counsel. “[The accusation] is outrageous and a lie,” he said. “We have appointed ‌international lawyers who are going to defend us.” The Panamanian government later issued a statement, accusing PPC and its affiliates of refusing to cooperate, concealing information and obstructing a coordinated transition. It also described the company’s recent remarks as “fallacious and libellous”. Panamanian authorities seized the Balboa and Cristobal ports in February, following a ruling by the country’s top court that declared the law approving the concession held by PPC to be unconstitutional. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino has reportedly rejected the accusation and says the government is backed by international counsel. Photo: AP The company described the seizure of the ports as an “illegal takeover”. PPC has operated the facilities since 1997 under a 25-year concession, renewed in 2021. The canal, which carries about 5

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