Panama Rejects US Troop Proposal as Talks Focus on Warship Passage
Negotiations continue over prioritized access for US military vessels through the Panama Canal, while Panama firmly defends its sovereignty against US military stationing requests.
- US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth's proposal to station US troops near the Panama Canal was decisively rejected by the Panamanian government, citing sovereignty concerns.
- Discussions are ongoing to establish a mechanism allowing US military ships prioritized and cost-compensated passage through the canal, with Panama open to a compromise.
- Hegseth accused China of exerting influence over canal infrastructure for espionage purposes, a claim China denies, reaffirming its respect for Panama's sovereignty.
- President Trump has repeatedly threatened to reassert US control over the canal, framing it as a response to perceived Chinese dominance of the strategic waterway.
- The Panamanian government continues to resist measures perceived as undermining its autonomy, emphasizing its exclusive control over the canal.
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