Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Panama yesterday, in the first visit by a top US official in decades – and the results so far appear to be quite satisfactory.
In the forceful speech he made on the pier the US and Panama restored, Hegseth was incisive about the need to curtail Chinese influence on the Canal.
He said ‘Together, we will take back the Panama Canal from China’s influence’, and also that ‘China did not build this canal. China does not operate this canal, and China will not weaponize this canal’.
In a US-Panama joint statement, it was announced several courses of action: Panama breaks with Communist China and aligns itself with the US; having abandoned Beijing’s ‘Silk Road and the Belt And Road Initiative’, the Central-American country will restart military exercises with Washington; and will work to curb illegal migration though its territory to the US.
Panama also announces to be joining forces with the US to secure the Canal from Chinese influence, containing Communist China and its proxies’ growing influence in the region.
MENAFN reported:
“U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth arrived at the Palacio de Las Garzas on Tuesday to meet with President José Raúl Mulino. Hegseth was received by his counterpart, Security Minister Frank Ábrego. Among the main topics discussed at the meeting were the fight against organized crime, cyber-security, technical assistance, advances in border security, and migration management.
[…] Washington Attempts to Stake its Claim in Panama: ‘The Era of Capitulation to Communist China is over’. ‘President Trump has clearly stated that the Panama Canal and the Canal Zone cannot and will not be controlled by China. We are working closely with our partners to secure the Canal’, Pete Hegseth the U.S. Secretary of Defense stated. Hegseth also said the United States will not allow China to jeopardize the operation of the Canal.
[…] U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth emphasized the importance of border security and international cooperation during his speech at the Central American Security Conference (Centsec). ‘Border security in this region is a shared challenge and must be a priority for all’, Hegseth stated. He emphasized the commitment of the United States and its allies to defending their borders against transnational cartels and gangs, which he described as terrorist organizations.”
WATCH: Hegseth – US military ships will pass through canal ‘first and free’.
US & PANAMA SIGN DEAL ON FIRST, FREE PASSAGE OF US WARSHIPS THROUGH PANAMA CANAL – HEGSETH pic.twitter.com/XEuJjSPkkO
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) April 9, 2025
Read the full Joint Statement by the US and Panama:
“President José Raúl Mulino and Panama Canal Authority Administrator Ricaurte Vazquez welcomed U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to Panama on April 8, 2025.
During this visit, the leaders reaffirmed the historic security relationship between the Republic of Panama and the United States of America.
They agreed our two nations must stand shoulder-to-shoulder in their mutual commitment to address shared security challenges. The leaders recognized the robust foundation and legacy of bilateral security cooperation, including over $230 million in U.S. Department of Defense and Department of State security assistance to Panama in the past five years.
Secretary Hegseth strongly welcomed President Mulino’s commitment to make Panama the first country in our hemisphere to exit the Belt and Road Initiative, and to reduce China’s problematic presence in other areas.
Secretary Hegseth also congratulated President Mulino for Panama’s efforts to reduce illegal immigration and for closing the border in the Darién.
Mindful of these bilateral obligations, President Mulino, Administrator Vazquez and Secretary Hegseth committed their joint resolve to strengthen bilateral Canal security cooperation.
In coordination with the Panama Canal Authority and in recognition of the constitutional framework of the Panamanian state, the statutory relationship with the Panama Canal Authority, and the obligations of the Treaty, the expedited transit of warships and auxiliary vessels of the Republic of Panama and the United States is guaranteed.
• Additionally, in recognition of the Treaty obligation regarding the payment of tolls and other charges under the Neutrality framework, the Republic of Panama and the United States of America will work, as established, on a mechanism to compensate for the payment of tolls and charges, in accordance with the legal and constitutional frameworks of both countries: First and Free.
• Collaborating to enhance and strengthen Panama’s security capabilities, including through a Memorandum of Understanding that will enable increased bilateral activities between the U.S. military and Panamanian security forces and will support mission needs at joint-use locations;
• Reinvigorating the High-Level Security Dialogue toward achieving a robust agenda of bilateral planning and preparedness that prioritizes Canal security and defense, to include discussion of issues related to commercial shipping;
• Signing of a Joint Statement of Understanding between Minister Abrego and Admiral Holsey for enhanced security cooperation through professional education and capacity-building between Panamanian security forces and the U.S. military;
• Reconcentrating bilateral training and exercises in Panama, including through commitments to resume regular joint jungle operations training and to reestablish the 2026 PANAMAX exercise for Canal defense in Panama;
• Leveraging Department of Defense expertise and resources to advise the Government of Panama to strengthen its strategic, cyber security, and maritime security planning;
• Advancing arrangements between the United States and the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) toward the continued safe, secure, and neutral operation of the Panama Canal, including through the recent signing of a Cyber Cooperation Arrangement between U.S. Southern Command and the ACP to identify areas for enhanced bilateral cyber cooperation; and through a recent U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memorandum of Understanding with the ACP that will continue to provide its expertise and technical support to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Canal.”
Read more:
SecDef Pete Hegseth Vows the US Will Take Back the Panama Canal from China’s Influence
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