Panama Grants Limited US Military Presence Around Canal in New Agreement

The three-year deal allows US troops to conduct training and store equipment in Panama-controlled facilities, while barring permanent bases and sparking domestic criticism over sovereignty concerns.

Panama and the US signed a memorandum permitting US troops to operate around the Panama Canal for training, exercises, and equipment storage for an initial three-year period.
The agreement explicitly prohibits the establishment of permanent US military bases and requires Panama's control over designated facilities.
US President Donald Trump pressured Panama into concessions, citing concerns about Chinese influence over the canal and threatening to reclaim US control.
The deal has drawn significant backlash within Panama, with critics labeling it a betrayal of national sovereignty and accusing the government of yielding to US demands.
Separately, the US Supreme Court ordered the government to repatriate Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man wrongfully deported despite legal protections, highlighting ongoing scrutiny of US immigration policies.