Ricaurte Vásquez denied Trump’s claims that China was controlling the canal’s operations, and said making exceptions to current rules controlling its operation would lead to “chaos.”

Treaties ratified by the Senate in 1978 established permanent neutrality, but some Republicans regret that decision.

Few took the president-elect’s combative comments at face value, but they still sent a shudder through a country that the United States has invaded before.

S.D., introduced the Panama Canal Repurchase Act, co-sponsored by 15 other House Republicans, amid President-elect Trump's concerns.