Panama City, February 7 (RHC)-- The Panama Canal Authority has denied claims by Washington that United States government vessels are being given free passage, stressing that no preferential crossing rights for American vessels have been granted.

The Panama Canal Authority has categorically denied assertions made by the U.S. State Department that the country had agreed to allow U.S. government vessels to transit the canal without paying tolls or fees.

U.S. government vessels are now allowed to transit the Panama Canal without being charged fees, the State Department announced Wednesday evening.