The Panama Canal Authority put out its own terse statement saying it had “not made any adjustments” to the fees.

Panama President Jose Raul Mulino said on Thursday the United States was spreading "lies and falsehoods" after the State Department claimed U.S. government vessels would be able to pass the Panama Canal without paying.

Panama President José Raúl Mulino has accused the US of spreading "lies and falsehoods" after the US State Department claimed American government vessels were no longer required to pay a fee to transit through the Panama Canal.

The Panamanian leader says he was “incredibly surprised” by the statement, as President Trump threatens a U.S. takeover of the strategic waterway.

Panama President Jose Raul Mulino on Thursday accused the United States government of lying a day earlier when the U.S. State Department claimed that U.S. government vessels would be able to cross the country's namesake canal without paying fees.