US Secretary of defence Pete Hegseth inaugurates fresh US military-funded facilities in Panama, 8 April 2025. © AP / Matias Delacroix
The United States has promised to “recover” The Panama Canal under Chinese influence and began a series of military deployments and joint exercises with Panama to strengthen this commitment, as said by Secretary of defence Pete Hegseth.
The head of the Pentagon took part on Tuesday in the inauguration of a fresh US-funded dock at the Vasco Nunez de Balboa naval base, advertising the facility as a symbol "Common commitment to channel security"After repeated threats by U.S. president Donald Trump about ‘recovery’ a key waterway."China did not build this channel.China does not support this channel.
And China will not arm this canal with weapons” “Hegseth said in his speech.
"Together we will regain the Panama Canal from China's influence.
And we'll do it with another capable, likewise reasoning allies and partners.
This is peace through strength”.Earlier this year, the US president refused to exclude the usage of military force to take control of the channel, stating that all options were on the table to defend interests "National Security".
Last period Trump reportedly ordered the Pentagon "providing credible military options to guarantee fair and unlimited military and commercial US access".Hegseth confirmed that many U.S. Navy ships, coastguard and aircraft resources have since been deployed in and around Panama within the framework of the "the bold first steps to revive defence and safety ties between our countries".At the moment, US military units are taking part in joint exercises, planning and another forms of cooperation with our Panamanian partners on both the Atlantic and Pacific side.Among US military resources presently operating in Panama are USS Chosin and USS Normandy rocket cruisers, as well as USCGC Kimball, a high-performance U.S. Coast defender cutter.
In addition, US and Navy Marine Corps aircraft participate in bilateral exercises to improve air and maritime coordination.Hegseth repeated Washington's informing about ‘continuous threats’ under Chinese control over the surrounding infrastructure and accused Beijing of utilizing economical leverage to collect intelligence.
"Chinese companies proceed to control critical infrastructure in the channel area.
This gives China the possible to carry out surveillance activities across Panama" He said.Panaman officials have previously rejected Trump's claims and threats, while the Panama Canal authorities keep that the channel is operated exclusively by the Panamans, with no evidence of Chinese control.
President Jose Raul Mulino stated that the channel is part of the ‘non-negotiable heritage’ Panama and stressed that the country retains full control of its operations.However, after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio personally handed Panama the Trump ultimatum in February, Mulino made a concessions to Washington, refusing to renew the 2017 agreements with China as part of the Beijing Belt and way Initiative.
Translated by Google Translator
source:https://www.rt.com/news/615418-panama-Canal-china-hegseth/
