Panamanian Investigators Raid Offices of Company that Ran Canal Ports

Probe launched into Hong Kong-owned firm that lost concession to operate ports at either end of the Panama Canal

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Panamanian investigators have raided the offices of the Panama Ports Company, a Hong Kong-owned firm that previously operated ports at both ends of the Panama Canal. The investigators, including the public prosecutor's anti-corruption office, seized documents as part of an early-stage investigation into potential criminal activity. The move comes after the Supreme Court declared the company's concession unconstitutional last month, leading to the seizure of the Balboa and Cristobal ports by the Panama Maritime Authority.

Why it matters

The Panama Canal is a vital global trade route, and the ports at either end are critical infrastructure. The legal dispute over the ports' operations has become entangled in the broader geopolitical tensions between the United States and China, with the Trump administration objecting to Chinese control of the strategic assets.

The details

Investigators from the Panamanian public prosecutor's anti-corruption office, along with officials from the Panama Maritime Authority and the National Directorate of Judicial Investigation, raided three offices of the Panama Ports Company in Panama City. The company is the local subsidiary of the Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison conglomerate. The investigators seized documents as part of an early-stage investigation, though the specific alleged crimes were not disclosed.

  • The raids took place on Thursday, February 27, 2026.
  • Last month, the Supreme Court of Panama declared the company's concession to operate the ports unconstitutional.

The players

Panama Ports Company

A Hong Kong-owned company that operated the Balboa and Cristobal ports at either end of the Panama Canal until its concession was declared unconstitutional.

CK Hutchison

The Hong Kong-based conglomerate that owns the Panama Ports Company.

Azael Samaniego

The public prosecutor from the anti-corruption office who led the raids on the Panama Ports Company offices.

Panama Maritime Authority

The Panamanian government agency that seized control of the Balboa and Cristobal ports from the Panama Ports Company after the Supreme Court ruling.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president who objected to the ports being controlled by a Chinese company, accusing China of trying to run the Panama Canal.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

The investigation into the Panama Ports Company highlights the complex geopolitical tensions surrounding control of critical infrastructure like the Panama Canal. As the U.S. and China compete for influence in the region, the fate of these strategic port assets remains uncertain.