Officials indicate that the US military’s Southern Command is examining various options regarding the Panama Canal, ranging from collaborating with Panama to potential military action.
The Pentagon is reportedly assessing military avenues to secure continuous US access to the vital Panama Canal, following a directive from the White House. According to Reuters, an anonymous US official cited a document called interim national security guidance from the new Trump administration advocating for US forces to explore military strategies to protect access to the channel.
In response to reports of potential US military intervention, Panama’s government stated its resolve in safeguarding its sovereignty amidst news that President Donald Trump is contemplating options to “reclaim” the strategic canal. Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha of Panama expressed that Panama stands ready to defend its territory and sovereignty, emphasizing that “the canal belongs to the Panamanians and will remain so.”
Tensions have escalated between the US and Panama due to Trump’s recurring threats to “retake” the Panama Canal.
The news about US military plans was initially reported by NBC, referencing an internal memo from the Trump administration and comments from anonymous US officials. These officials mentioned that the US military’s Southern Command would deliberate several strategies, including cooperation with Panama’s military or the use of force to secure the canal. They also stated that a US invasion of Panama is currently considered improbable.
Despite this, the memo reportedly asked the Pentagon to provide credible military options to ensure fair and unrestricted US military and commercial access to the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal, traversing the narrow isthmus of Panama and linking North and South America, is crucial due to its connection of the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Since Trump’s inauguration in January, the canal has been under intense global scrutiny.
Trump declared in a recent address to Congress that his administration intends to reclaim the Panama Canal, though he has not detailed how this would be accomplished or if the US military would be involved. The US acquired the rights to construct and operate the canal in the early 20th century, with a treaty signed in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter agreeing to relinquish control of the canal to Panama by the end of 1999.
However, the US and Panama are obligated by treaty to protect the canal’s neutrality, allowing unilateral action if necessary. Control of the canal has also been a point of contention between Washington and Beijing, with Trump previously alleging – without evidence – that China is covertly controlling the waterway. Both Panama and China have rejected these claims of foreign meddling.
Until recently, two of the canal’s four major ports were largely owned by Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings. Following weeks of scrutiny, the conglomerate sold most of its global port operations, spanning 23 countries, to a consortium led by the US firm BlackRock for $22.8 billion. Although this sale may have placated Trump, CK Hutchison now appears to be under scrutiny from China’s Communist Party. A pro-Beijing newspaper in Hong Kong published an op-ed condemning the BlackRock deal as a “betrayal” of the Chinese people, labeling CK Hutchison as spineless. This opinion piece was later featured on the website of China’s representative offices in Hong Kong and Macau, suggesting tacit endorsement of its message.
