Panama Signs Deal Allowing Limited U.S. Military Deployment Near Canal

The three-year renewable agreement enables U.S. military and contractors to operate around the Panama Canal for specific activities, excluding permanent bases, amid heightened U.S.-China tensions.

Panama has signed a bilateral agreement permitting U.S. military forces and private contractors to deploy near the Panama Canal for training, humanitarian efforts, and exercises.
The agreement, which lasts three years and is renewable, explicitly prohibits the establishment of permanent U.S. military bases in the region.
Panama's government emphasized its sovereignty over the canal, rejecting U.S. requests for territorial concessions and permanent bases.
The deal reflects the Trump administration's push to counter Chinese influence in Latin America, with the Panama Canal seen as a key strategic asset.
The agreement has sparked criticism within Panama, with opposition figures and activists labeling it a threat to national sovereignty and a reminder of past U.S. military interventions.

Courrier International