Mexico’s Milenio newspaper on Tuesday quoted Panama’s Public Security Minister, Jose Raul Mulino as saying that UN officials have begun inspecting the Cuban weapons that were found on the North Korean vessel Chong Chon Gang, detained last month in the Panama Canal. The 6-member mission, led by former British Ambassador to South Korea David Martin Uden, will not release any statements during their 4-day inspection until they reach a conclusion about whether Chong Chon Gang’s cargo violated UN’s sanctions against North Korea. Chong Chon Gang is now docked at the Manzanillo International Container Terminal in Colon City, Panama.

The container ship Chong Chon Gang has been held in Colon city. (Photo: Reuters)

The working mission was established at Panama’s request following the seizure of 25 containers filled with weapons and 6 military vehicles on the Chong Chon Gang. Cuba has declared ownership of the arms, explaining that they were outdated and had been shipped to North Korea for repairs.