Connect with us

Politics

Secretary Rubio Criticizes China’s Bullying for Detaining DOZENS of Panama-Flagged Cargo Ships

Published

4 hours ago

on

Rubio decries China’s bullying

Panama’s ships caught between the rock and a hard place.

While the Russia-Ukraine war brings danger to the Black Sea, the military conflicts in the Middle East brought about Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

But we’d do well not to forget about the vital Panama Canal and the geopolitical consequences of Donald J. Trump’s administration shutting China out of its infrastructure.

Last Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called out China’s ‘bullying’ for ‘detaining or holding up dozens of Panama-flagged ships’.

Even though the ships were held for a short period of time, it comes as a retaliation after Panama seized control of two ports on the Panama Canal from a Hong Kong-based company.

China denies the bullying allegations.

Associated Press reported:

“Panama has been caught in a broader rivalry between the United States and China after U.S. President Donald Trump accused Beijing last year of running the Panama Canal. The Trump administration sees the critical maritime trade route as strategically important, both commercially and militarily, and Trump has talked about retaking the Panama Canal since his campaign.

‘China’s decision to detain or otherwise impede Panama-flagged vessels engaged in lawful trade destabilizes supply chains, raises costs, and erodes confidence in the global trading system’, Rubio said on social media. ‘The United States stands with Panama against any retaliatory actions against its sovereignty and will always support our partners in the face of bullying’.”

No less than 75% of the ships detained for inspection in Chinese ports in March – 92 vessels – were Panama-flagged.

“The Panama-flagged ships were typically detained for a few days — as short as one day or as long as 10 days — before being released.

That is up drastically from the previous two months, when 19 out of 45 ships — or more than 40% — held in February were Panama-flagged, and 23 out of 71 — or over 30% — in January hung the Panama flag.”

Read more:

FBI Warns Congress of ‘Major’ Cyber Hack Involving China That Could Threaten National Security

The post Secretary Rubio Criticizes China’s Bullying for Detaining DOZENS of Panama-Flagged Cargo Ships appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Business

DOJ Leadership Quietly Dismantles Weaponization Working Group Despite Executive Mandate

Published

3 seconds ago

on

April 10, 2026

By

A blindfolded woman symbolizes justice alongside a man holding a shield with stars and stripes, representing patriotism and strength.

A blindfolded woman symbolizes justice alongside a man holding a shield with stars and stripes, representing patriotism and strength.

DOJ Leadership Quietly Dismantles Weaponization Working Group Despite Executive Mandate Guest Post from FreedomTalk Magazine Staff The U.S. Department of Justice under Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche effectively shut down the Weaponization … Read more

The post DOJ Leadership Quietly Dismantles Weaponization Working Group Despite Executive Mandate appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Continue Reading

Politics

Under Mounting US Pressure, Cuba Sets Over 2,000 Prisoners Free

Published

8 seconds ago

on

April 10, 2026

By

Street art featuring a stylized face and the word "Libertad," set against a backdrop of classic cars and the iconic Capitol building in Havana, Cuba.

Street art featuring a stylized face and the word "Libertad," set against a backdrop of classic cars and the iconic Capitol building in Havana, Cuba.

Havana is moving.

As the US ramps up the pressure on the Caribbean island, the Cuban communist dictatorship announced that it has freed more than 2,000 ‌prisoners.

It’s the second prisoner amnesty this year alone, amid talks with the US administration of Donald J. Trump.

Reuters reported:

“Cuba’s state-run Granma newspaper called the measure a ‘humanitarian and sovereign gesture’.

The Cuban government has consistently rejected any suggestion it makes decisions under ​U.S. pressure. The timing of Thursday’s announcement, however, coincides with the most intense pressure campaign applied by Washington in ​decades.”

Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel smiles during an official meeting, showcasing his formal attire and a Cuban flag pin on his suit.Cuban dictator Miguel Diaz-Canel. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

“The decision to free ⁠2,010 prisoners “stemmed from a careful analysis of the crimes committed by those convicted, their good conduct in prison, the fact ​that they had served a significant portion of their sentence, and their state of health’, state media said.”

Murderers, drug-related felons, and pedophiles were excluded from the release.

“It was unclear how many of the prisoners subject to release following Thursday’s announcement have been held on charges related to anti-government ​protests. Many high-profile dissidents, and some protesters from island-wide July 11 protests, have been freed in recent agreements and amnesties ​announced by the Cuban government.”

Associated Press reported:

“Cuba’s government denies holding political prisoners, but the activist group Prisoners Defended registered 1,214 people imprisoned for political reasons in Cuba as of February.

[…] The release comes as the Trump administration has placed extreme pressure on Cuba’s government.”

Last month, Cuba released 51 people from the island’s prisons in an unexpected move negotiated with the Vatican.

Read more:

US Blows Up Another Drug Boat in the Caribbean, Killing Three Narco-Terrorists (VIDEO)

The post Under Mounting US Pressure, Cuba Sets Over 2,000 Prisoners Free appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Continue Reading

Politics

Alito Taken to Hospital After Falling Ill at Federalist Society Dinner Last Month

Published

14 seconds ago

on

April 10, 2026

By

Man in a suit speaking thoughtfully, with a blurred background, conveying a serious discussion or interview setting.

Man in a suit speaking thoughtfully, with a blurred background, conveying a serious discussion or interview setting.

Conservative Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was rushed to a hospital last month after a Federalist Society dinner in Philadelphia, CNN reported.

Alito, who just turned 76, was treated for dehydration after he fell ill (food poisoning?).

Details about the medical emergency were not disclosed.

In the two weeks since the medical incident, Samuel Alito has been on the bench and has attended oral arguments.

“Out of an abundance of caution, he agreed with his security detail’s recommendation to see a physician before the three-hour drive home,” the Supreme Court said in a statement, The Hill reported.

“After that examination and the administration of fluids for dehydration, he returned home that night, as previously planned,” the high court said.

CNN reported:

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was taken to a hospital after becoming ill last month at a Federalist Society dinner in Philadelphia, according to people with knowledge of the March 20 incident.

The justice was evaluated and administered fluids for dehydration. He returned to his home in Virginia that night with his security team.

Alito and Supreme Court public information officials declined to comment for the record about the episode, which has not been previously reported.

In the two weeks since the incident, Alito has attended oral arguments and appeared healthy during the usual give-and-take with lawyers at the lectern.

Alito, who turned 76 on Wednesday and has served as a justice for 20 years, has become the subject of widespread speculation from commentators across the ideological spectrum and the news media over whether he might retire. (He has refused to answer journalists’ questions on the subject.)

Fox News also confirmed the Alito report.

Fox News reported:

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito was treated for dehydration at a hospital after a previously undisclosed March 20 incident in Philadelphia, sources told Fox News.

He was not admitted and returned home the same night without complications.

Alito, 76, attended a Federalist Society dinner that evening and reported feeling lightheaded, prompting his security detail to recommend a precautionary hospital visit. Sources said the justice has had no issues since.

The post Alito Taken to Hospital After Falling Ill at Federalist Society Dinner Last Month appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Continue Reading

Trending