China may have investments in the operations of the Panama Canal but its soldiers are not operating it.

A fake quote attributed to Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino, saying that his country would double the tariffs for U.S. warships transiting the Panama Canal and devote the proceeds to women’s reproductive health originated from a parody X account.

Panama has reportedly submitted a formal letter to the U.N. rejecting Trump's statement about reclaiming the canal. The country's President José Raúl Mulino said in the letter, dated January 20, that the canal "is and will continue to be Panama's," the New York Times reported.

Panama’s government and President José Raúl Mulino have repeatedly denied that there is any Chinese presence at the canal.

Donald Trump would have no recourse under international law if he decided to make a play for the passage, and Panama's president has rejected the US president's words, saying no nation "interferes with our administration".

The Panama Canal Authority leader denied that China controls the waterway, warning President-elect Trump against ending the Neutrality Treaty.

Donald Trump’s vow to "take back" the Panama Canal has prompted shipping analysts to explore potential trade implications

The Panama Canal chief, Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, said giving preferential treatment to one country's ships would "lead to chaos."

US President Donald Trump's threat to seize the Panama Canal over alleged undue Chinese influence may really be aimed at limiting Beijing's growing diplomatic and economic presence in Latin America, experts say.

Trump has suggested using military force to retake the Panama Canal, but such an action would involve complications.

In his inaugural address, US President Donald Trump promised to "take back" the "foolish gift" from the United States that was the Panama Canal. But was it in fact a gift? And does China really control it as he claims?