Panamanian investigators removed documents from three Panama City offices tied to the Panama Ports Company after the Supreme Court voided its concession to operate the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals. Anti‑corruption prosecutor Azael Samaniego said teams from his office, the Panama Maritime Authority and judicial investigators participated, and that the probe is in its early stages. The action follows the Maritime Authority’s seizure of the terminals and underscores broader U.S.‑China competition for influence in the region.
Panama Investigators Remove Documents From CK Hutchison‑Linked Ports Offices After Concession Voided
Containers sit at the Balboa terminal, run by CK Hutchison's Panama Ports Co., after Panama's government ordered the occupation of the port following a Supreme Court ruling that the concession was unconstitutional, in Panama City, Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Panamanian investigators on Thursday removed documents from three Panama City offices linked to the Panama Ports Company, the local subsidiary of Hong Kong‑based CK Hutchison, after the country’s Supreme Court last month declared the company’s concession to operate the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals unconstitutional.
Public prosecutor Azael Samaniego, who leads Panama’s anti‑corruption office, told local media that inspection teams included officials from the Panama Maritime Authority and investigators from the National Directorate of Judicial Investigation. Samaniego said authorities had information suggesting a crime may have been committed but did not specify any alleged offense, and he added the inquiry remains at an early stage.
The Panama Ports Company did not respond to requests for comment, and Panamanian law enforcement agencies likewise declined to provide statements.
Background
The Panama Maritime Authority seized control of the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals days earlier, following the Supreme Court’s decision to void the concession. CK Hutchison has operated the terminals since 1997. The dispute has become entangled with broader geopolitical tensions as the United States and China compete for influence in the region.
Beijing has accused Panama’s government of yielding to U.S. pressure, while the company has rejected the court ruling. The Trump administration had previously objected to a Chinese firm controlling the ports and suggested China exerted undue influence over the canal—an allegation both Panama and China deny.
What Comes Next
Authorities say the investigation is in its early stages and did not indicate whether the document seizures will lead to charges. Observers note the case could carry diplomatic and economic implications because of the strategic importance of the Panama Canal and its terminals.
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