Panama President José Raúl Mulino accused the United States 🇺🇸 Embassy in Panama of threatening to cancel visas for Panamanian officials who back Chinese companies operating in the country, escalating a sensitive dispute at the intersection of immigration control and great-power rivalry. Mulino said a female embassy official warned that the visas of Panamanian officials could be revoked if they supported Chinese business interests, calling the alleged pressure tactic incompatible with a healthy bilateral relationship.
He acknowledged the United States’ legal authority to grant or revoke visas but argued it should not be exercised through threats.

The U.S. Ambassador to Panama, Kevin Marino Cabrera, responded that visa issuance remains a privilege and that consular officers approve, deny, or revoke visas based on U.S. law and regulation, not an individual’s government position. He did not confirm or deny the specific allegation regarding threats. Instead, he referenced a broader U.S. policy line from September 2025 aimed at restricting visas for Central American citizens who act on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party in ways the United States says could undermine democracy and the rule of law in the region.
Mulino’s claim lands at a tense moment. Panama, which hosts nearly 200 Chinese companies and manages the Panama Canal, sits at the center of U.S.-China competition in the Americas. China is a major investor and trade partner in Panama, and its growing commercial presence has drawn repeated scrutiny from Washington.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, visa policy has increasingly become an instrument of regional influence, with the United States seeking to limit activities it views as security risks while partner governments defend their economic ties and sovereignty.
Panama’s government has tried to keep balanced relations, welcoming investment while guarding national interests. Mulino’s statement signals frustration over what he views as overreach on visas by a key ally. The United States, for its part, has long maintained that consular decisions rest on statute and facts tied to each case. That framing allows Washington to apply visa restrictions tied to conduct—such as corruption, interference, or national security concerns—without naming politics as a deciding factor.
Policy context and diplomatic stakes
The embassy’s position aligns with standard U.S. consular practice: a visa is not a right, and consular officers may revoke it when information suggests ineligibility under U.S. law. That can include suspected ties to activities the United States considers harmful to its interests or to democratic processes.
While Ambassador Cabrera referenced the September 2025 policy direction, he stopped short of linking the current dispute to any specific decision.
This episode underscores how immigration tools—especially visas—carry diplomatic weight. In Panama, where Chinese companies operate in ports, logistics, telecoms, and construction, visa scrutiny can have ripple effects far beyond individual travelers:
- Business leaders worry about unpredictability.
- Public officials fear stigma.
- Families with travel plans to the United States face uncertainty.
The stakes rise when decisions appear connected to a broader geopolitical struggle rather than routine, case-by-case assessments.
For Washington, the challenge is to apply the law in a way that resists political spin while still achieving policy aims. For Panama, the challenge is to protect economic freedom and its right to choose commercial partners without damaging a vital relationship with the United States. Mulino’s remarks suggest his administration wants assurances that visas will not be used as leverage against lawful engagement with Chinese companies.
Visa policy is increasingly a tool of influence. The question is whether decisions will be seen as neutral law enforcement—or as pressure on Panama’s commercial choices.
Impact on travelers and officials
For Panamanian citizens, including officials and businesspeople, the immediate practical questions are what this means for travel to the United States and how to prepare.
There is no formal change to application steps. Nonimmigrant applicants still complete the online Form DS-160 and attend interviews when required. The official application portal remains on the U.S. Department of State’s website at Form DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application).
Key practical points for applicants
- Continue using the regular process and keep documentation thorough and truthful.
- Expect questions about employer, contracts, and travel purpose, especially if work involves sensitive sectors.
- Understand that visas can be revoked if new information surfaces, even after issuance.
- If a visa is cancelled, you can request written clarification at the consulate and, if appropriate, reapply with updated evidence.
Specific implications for public officials and businesses
- A cancelled visa may hinder meetings, training, or medical travel to the United States.
- While the U.S. Embassy says decisions are not based on rank, officials engaged with Chinese companies—whether in procurement, regulation, or oversight—may face deeper scrutiny tied to security and governance concerns defined by U.S. policy.
Businesses with links to Chinese firms should prepare for a higher compliance bar, including:
– Clear disclosure of ownership, funding sources, and partners.
– Documented compliance with Panamanian law, anti-corruption standards, and procurement rules.
– Evidence of separation between public duties and private interests for any officials engaging with Chinese companies.
For students, tourists, and families, most cases will remain routine: visitor, study, and exchange visas continue as before. But applicants with ties to sensitive sectors should be prepared to explain roles and provide clear evidence of funds, travel plans, and intent to return to Panama.
Legal, administrative, and diplomatic follow-ups
Panama’s immigration officials are watching closely. Although this dispute centers on U.S. visas, the broader relationship could affect cooperation on:
– Migration flows through the Darién,
– Security programs,
– Trade and logistics tied to the Panama Canal.
A prolonged standoff could complicate joint work both countries rely on.
Legal advocates in Panama urge transparency: if a visa is refused or revoked, request the statutory ground, which may appear on the refusal sheet. Though appeals are limited, reapplying with stronger evidence is often possible. Careful recordkeeping and timely responses matter.
Broader significance
Mulino’s accusation, Ambassador Cabrera’s response, and the September 2025 policy reference together illustrate how immigration tools—especially visas—operate at the fault line of policy and politics. With nearly 200 Chinese companies active in Panama, even a small shift in visa review practice could affect:
– Contracts,
– Conferences,
– Investment pipelines.
For now, both sides say they value the bilateral relationship. The central question remains whether visa decisions will be viewed as neutral enforcement of law or as pressure on Panama’s choices in a crowded field of global players.
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This Article in a Nutshell
Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino publicly accused the U.S. Embassy of threatening to revoke visas for Panamanian officials who support Chinese companies, intensifying a diplomatic dispute tied to immigration controls and great-power competition. The U.S. Ambassador emphasized that visa decisions follow U.S. law and cited a September 2025 policy aimed at curbing Chinese Communist Party influence in Central America, without confirming the specific allegation. Panama hosts nearly 200 Chinese firms and controls the Panama Canal, making any visa scrutiny consequential for business leaders, public officials, and families. Application procedures remain unchanged; applicants should be thorough and truthful. The episode highlights the growing role of visa policy as a geopolitical tool and raises questions about neutrality versus political leverage in bilateral relations.