In a bold and controversial move, former U.S. President Donald Trump has called for the United States to reclaim control of the Panama Canal, citing concerns over China’s growing influence in Panama.

The joint exercise reinforced preparation for threats to the security of the Panama Canal and other strategic infrastructure.

I n December 2024, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump began repeatedly calling for the return of the Panama Canal to the United States. In a Dec. 21, 2024 post on his social media platform Truth ...

Panama and the U.S. signed a new security pact on the canal, boosting defense ties as tensions with China over Latin American influence continue to rise.

The U.S. helped engineer Panama's independence from Colombia to build the canal, which opened in 1914. But it ceded control to Panama in 1999.

Technically, the deal seemed to violate the 1977 Panama-US treaties, which guaranteed Panamanian operational control and local security for the canal as well as ownership.

Defense Secretary Hegseth said the U.S. and Panama are strengthening security ties and "together" will "take back" the canal from the influence of China, which operates two major ports.

Panama President José Raúl Mulino has rejected the U.S. State Department’s claim that his country had reached a deal allowing U.S. warships to transit the Panama Canal for free.

PANAMA CITY — Panama President José Raúl Mulino said Thursday there will be no negotiation with the United States over ownership of the Panama Canal, and he hopes U.S. Secretary of State Marco ...

Panama’s president, José Raúl Mulino, was not amused by President Trump’s talk of taking back the Canal Zone. AFP via Getty Images. Trump did not elaborate on how he intends to take back the ...

We are working closely with our partners in Panama to secure the canal,” Hegseth said during his opening remarks at the 2025 Central American Security Conference in Panama City on Wednesday.

Panama said on Wednesday the United States recognized its sovereignty over the Panama Canal, despite tough rhetoric from Washington, as the two nations announced agreements to deepen U.S. military ...