Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the town of Al-Qlailah, Southern Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strikes town of Harouf, Nabatieh district.
Factions' statement: The attendees agreed to support and continue implementing the ceasefire agreement measures, including the withdrawal of the occupation and lifting the siege.
Factions' statement: Calling for an end to all forms of torture and violations against prisoners in occupation prisons and the necessity of obligating the occupation to do so.
Statement: The current moment is crucial, making the meeting a true turning point toward national unity in defense of our people and their right to life, dignity, and freedom.
Factions' statement: Call for an urgent meeting of all Palestinian forces and factions to agree on a national strategy.
Factions' statement: Continuing joint work to unify visions and positions to confront the challenges facing the Palestinian cause.
Statement of the factions: Emphasis on the unity of the Palestinian political system and the independent national decision.
Statement: Approval to establish an international committee to oversee the financing and implementation of the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
Statement: The committee is responsible for managing life and services in cooperation with Arab brothers and international institutions, based on transparency and accountability.

US recognizes Panama sovereignty over canal, yet only in Spanish

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 11 Apr 2025 11:16
  • 2 Shares
4 Min Read

The new deal revives painful memories of the US military’s presence in the country, particularly the 1989 invasion that overthrew Manuel Noriega and killed more than 500 Panamanians.

Listen
  • x
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, right, and Panama Canal Authority Administrator Ricaurte Vasquez, second from right, cross a bridge during a tour of the Panama Canal's Miraflores Locks in Panama City, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP )US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, right, and Panama Canal Authority Administrator Ricaurte Vasquez, second from right, cross a bridge during a tour of the Panama Canal's Miraflores Locks in Panama City, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP)

Top security officials from the United States and Panama have signed an agreement that permits US troops to operate at Panamanian-controlled facilities for joint training, military exercises, and “other activities", according to the memorandum signed this week.

While the deal does not authorize the construction of permanent US military bases—an outcome that would likely provoke domestic backlash and legal complications—it does grant Washington wide latitude to deploy an unspecified number of personnel to installations, some of which were originally built during the US occupation of the Panama Canal Zone.

Wider context

The move comes amid renewed scrutiny from US President Donald Trump, who has long criticized what he perceives as China's involvement in Panama and declared his intent to “take back” strategic influence over the canal, which handles approximately 40% of US container traffic and 5% of global trade.

Since returning to office in January, Trump has repeatedly alleged that China holds too much sway over the waterway. “We are helping to take back the Panama Canal from communist Chinese influence,” US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said during a press briefing in Panama City.

Hegseth’s visit marked the first by a US defense chief to Panama in decades. Alongside his Panamanian counterpart, Frank Abrego, he signed a Memorandum of Understanding that both deepens military cooperation and affirms Panama’s sovereignty over the canal—a key concern in the wake of Trump’s prior remarks suggesting he would not rule out military intervention.

“In addition, Secretary Hegseth recognized the leadership and inalienable sovereignty of Panama over the Panama Canal and its adjacent areas,” read a Spanish-language statement from Panama’s government. While the line was absent in the Pentagon’s English version, Hegseth echoed the sentiment before departing, saying, “We certainly respect the sovereignty of the Panamanians and the Panama Canal.”

Related News

Trump imposes 10% tariff on Canada after controversial Ontario Ad

China counters US maritime bloc with sanctions on Hanwha Ocean

Panama’s Minister for Public Security reiterated the point. “Secretary Hegseth, in the meeting we had in private, recognized the sovereignty of Panama over the Panama Canal,” said Abrego, adding that Panama would not permit permanent US bases.

President Jose Raul Mulino, speaking from Peru, revealed that Washington had initially pushed for base rights under an earlier draft of the deal—a proposal he flatly rejected. “Do you want to create a mess? What we've put in place here would set the country on fire,” Mulino reportedly told Hegseth.

Despite the scaled-back deal, public reaction in Panama has been fierce. “What we have here is a setback to national sovereignty,” said labor leader Saul Mendez. “What the Panamanian government has done is an act of treason. They are traitors and must be tried.”

The controversy revives painful memories of the US military’s presence in the country, particularly the 1989 invasion that overthrew Manuel Noriega and killed more than 500 Panamanians. Washington controlled the canal until 1999.

Chinese port operator under fire amid US pressure 

Recent tensions have focused on Chinese business interests in the canal zone. The Hong Kong-based Panama Ports Company, which has operated facilities at both ends of the canal for decades, has come under pressure from the Trump administration. Panama has accused the company of breaching its contract and urged it to exit.

In March, the ports' parent firm, CK Hutchison, announced a $19 billion sale of 43 port assets—including the two Panamanian terminals—to a US-led consortium headed by BlackRock. China has responded with an antitrust investigation.

Though the US has long conducted military exercises in Panama, a continuous rotational force—akin to America’s presence in Darwin, Australia—would be politically explosive in Panama, where sovereignty remains a charged issue.

Still, Hegseth praised Mulino’s alignment with Washington’s strategic goals, especially his administration’s withdrawal from China’s Belt and Road Initiative and cooperation on curbing irregular migration. “We are deeply grateful for the friendship of our Panamanian counterparts, your partnership and your leadership here in Panama and across the region,” Hegseth stressed.

Read more: US threatens Panama over alleged 'China influence' in canal operations

  • United States
  • Panama
  • Panama canal
  • China
  • US Forces

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Undated photo of Hanwha Ocean’s Goeje Shipyard in South Korea (Hanwha Ocean)
Politics

China counters US maritime bloc with sanctions on Hanwha Ocean

Catherine Connolly speaks after being after being elected as the new President of Ireland at Dublin Castle, Ireland, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Connolly wins Irish presidency in blow to political establishment

Buildings destroyed during the Israeli air and ground offensive are seen in the Al-Shati camp, in Gaza City, Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. (AP)
Politics

'Israel's' post-ceasefire demolitions in Gaza violate agreement: Hamas

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends the 17th annual BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 7, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran’s Araghchi: Our nuclear bomb is resilience, not weapons

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS