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Trump Administration Explores Military Plans to Increase U.S. Control Over Panama Canal

The White House has directed the military to develop strategies, including potential troop increases, to counter perceived Chinese influence at the canal.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (fourth from the left) talks to Panama Canal Authority Administrator Ricaurte Vásquez Morales (second from the left) during a tour at the Miraflores locks of the Panama Canal in Panama City on February 2, 2025.
A cargo ship transits through the Panama Canal on Feb. 21, 2025.
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Overview

  • President Trump has tasked U.S. Southern Command with drafting plans to expand the American military presence in Panama to 'reclaim' the Panama Canal.
  • Proposals range from closer partnerships with the Panamanian military to the less likely option of seizing the canal by force, according to officials.
  • The administration aims to reduce China's influence in the region, citing concerns about its access to the strategically vital waterway.
  • Panama and China deny allegations of foreign interference in the canal, while Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has dismissed Trump's claims as 'nonsense.'
  • The U.S. currently has over 200 troops stationed in Panama, with discussions ongoing about further deployments and infrastructure investments near the canal.