US to Increase Troop Presence at Panama Canal, Hegseth Announces
The US to Increase Troop Presence in Panama Canal
The US has announced plans to send more troops to the Panama Canal, according to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. During a speech at the US Army War College in Pennsylvania, Hegseth revealed that a framework has been secured for the passage of US military vessels and auxiliary vessels through the Panama Canal, as well as for the additional presence of US troops stationed on both sides of the canal.
This decision comes after Hegseth first mentioned plans to expand US military presence in Panama on April 9, following a visit to the Central American country. He spoke about the implementation of rotational joint exercises in Panama as part of this strategy.
US President Donald Trump has expressed the need for the US to regain control of the Panama Canal, criticizing the high tariffs charged for passage through the canal. He stated that the transfer of control over the waterway in 1999 was meant to be a gesture of cooperation, rather than a concession to other countries. In his inaugural address on January 20, Trump declared his intention to take back the Panama Canal, alleging that it was being managed by China.
However, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman denied the claim that China holds full control over the canal, calling it “absolutely false.” Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino also emphasized that sovereignty over the canal and the country’s independence are non-negotiable.
During Hegseth’s visit in April, Panama’s Attorney General’s Office announced an investigation against Panama Ports Company, which owns ports on both sides of the Panama Canal. The company is owned by the Hong Kong-based investment conglomerate CK Hutchison.
Overall, the US’s decision to increase troop presence in the Panama Canal signifies a significant development in its military strategy in the region.
