PANAMA CITY (Reuters) - Panama has made progress stripping vessels from its registry that do not meet its flag's standards, the Central American nation's Maritime Authority said on Wednesday, responding to U.S. criticism that it allowed sanctioned countries to move ships with the Panamanian flag.
U.S. officials and congressmen have accused Panama of not taking action to help enforce sanctions on vessels and ship owners from countries including Russia, Iran and Venezuela. U.S. President Donald Trump has used these arguments to threaten the Panama Canal with a takeover.
