Republicans hoping to thwart Beijing’s influence in Latin America are urging the Panamanian government to cut ties with Chinese entities.

U.S. investment bank JPMorgan has downgraded its recommendation on Panama's bonds after U.S. President Donald Trump ramped up his threat this week to "take back" the Panama canal. The Central American country's bonds have been struggling since Trump made the pledge during his election campaign,

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