China has issued a formal condemnation following the overnight demolition of a prominent monument honouring the Chinese community in Panama. The incident marks the latest development in a period of heightened diplomatic tension, as the Trump administration encourages Central American nations to distance themselves from Beijing.
Monument "Shattered to Pieces" in Overnight Operation
The monument, which commemorated 150 years of Chinese presence in Panama and the migrants who helped construct the nation's railroads and the Panama Canal, was torn down late on Monday. Videos circulated on social media showing large excavators destroying the structure, which was erected in 2004 and featured traditional Chinese architectural elements like a ceremonial arch, curved roof tiles, and stone lions.
By Tuesday morning, construction workers were clearing the rubble from the scenic overlook near the Panama Canal. All that remained were two broken stone lions placed by the curb. The local Arraiján mayorship stated the demolition was due to "structural risks" to public safety, denying any political motive. It did not explain why the work was carried out at night.
Diplomatic Outrage and Demands for Explanation
The Chinese Embassy in Panama accused local authorities of having "brazenly and forcibly demolished" the monument, an act it said "seriously damaged the friendly sentiments of the Chinese people." China's ambassador to Panama, Xu Xueyuan, took to social media platform X to demand answers.
"This monument, which held 171 years of life, blood, and dedication from the Chinese community, has been shattered to pieces," Ambassador Xu wrote. "A symbol of China-Panama friendship, reduced to nothing. And I ask: why?"
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino swiftly echoed the condemnation, calling the demolition an act of "barbarity" with "no justification whatsoever." He announced the federal government would rebuild the monument and called for an immediate investigation.
Broader Context of US-China Influence in Latin America
The demolition occurs against a backdrop of intensifying geopolitical competition in Latin America. US President Donald Trump has claimed, with little provided evidence, that China exerts control over the Panama Canal—an assertion repeatedly rejected by Panama's government. The Trump administration has actively pushed to offset growing economic ties between China and nations in the region, where Chinese investment has often outpaced American in recent years.
The act has provoked anger within both Panama and the local Chinese community. Some community members staged protests at the site, and businesses threatened to shut down in solidarity. Panamanian tour guide Jaime Bustos expressed shock, telling reporters, "They helped build our interoceanic railway, they helped build the Panama Canal... I believe this was a cruel act."
The swift condemnation from both Beijing and Panama's federal government underscores the monument's symbolic importance, even as the local authority's rationale and the timing of its destruction raise significant questions.
