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
Israeli media: Intense US efforts are being made to resolve differences, such as the issue of the Israeli presence on Mount Hermon and in southern Syria
Israeli media: The security agreement means amending the disengagement agreement, which will also address the Druze issue
Israeli media: Attempts to reach a security agreement between 'Israel' and Syria were among the topics discussed at the Paris meeting
Israeli media: Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif rejected a US proposal to join the recent tripartite meeting between Tom Barrack, al-Shaibani, and Dermer
Saba News Agency: Two martyred, five injured in a preliminary toll of the Israeli aggression on the Yemeni Oil Company station on Al-Sitteen Street in Sanaa
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: We observed a state of confusion among the enemy's aircraft squadron after Yemeni air defenses intercepted the attack
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: The Yemeni air defense forces succeeded in neutralizing a squadron of enemy aircraft and prevented airstrikes on some governorates
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: Our air defenses and missile forces forced a formation of enemy aircraft to flee the airspace
Member of the Ansar Allah Political Bureau, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti: The Israeli aggression on Yemen will not deter us from continuing to support Gaza, no matter the sacrifices
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Israeli aggression targeted the Yemeni Oil Company station on Al-Sitteen Street, southwest of the capital, Sanaa, with several raids

US recognizes Panama sovereignty over canal, yet only in Spanish

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 11 Apr 2025 12:16
  • 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

Merz eyes new alike-thinking trade partners over US tariffs

JD Vance says 'Russians have made significant concessions' to Trump

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

Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, executive director of the defense division of the Israeli National Cyber Directorate, undated (Social media)

Israeli-born US prosecutor drops Israeli officer child sex crime

  • Politics
  • 19 Aug 2025
Displaced Palestinians walk through a makeshift camp along the beach in Gaza City, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)

Hamas, other factions accept Egypt-Qatar ceasefire proposal: Exclusive

  • Politics
  • 18 Aug 2025
Palestine will not be liberated by UN reports, but by pursuing a different strategic horizon: one that does not beg for recognition. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Economy of Genocide: Albanese's report accuses, but doesn't dismantle system

  • Opinion
  • 18 Aug 2025
Israeli soldiers stand on the top of armoured vehicles parked on an area near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 (AP)

Palestinian fighters target Israeli soldiers, vehicles in Gaza

  • Politics
  • 21 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Prime minister's office in al-Quds, Occupied Palestine, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu deliberately derailing truce with Gaza occupation: Hamas

Irish President Michael Higgins arrives to deliver his speech during a 42nd World Food Day celebration at FAO headquarters in Rome, on Oct. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Politics

Irish president renews call for UN military intervention in Gaza

US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the US Embassy in Aukar, northern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, July 21, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US envoy, Netanyahu discuss restraining attacks on Lebanon, withdrawal

Smoke billows following Israeli airstrikes in multiple areas in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ansar Allah vow sustained Gaza support despite Israeli strikes

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