President Trump Pushes Pentagon to Draft Plans for ‘Reclaiming’ the Panama Canal
By James Seidel | CC News Network
WASHINGTON, D.C., — President Donald Trump has directed the Pentagon to prepare plans for his controversial pledge to “take back” the Panama Canal, potentially through military action, according to two U.S. officials familiar with the situation, as reported by NBC News.
U.S. Military Options Under Review
Officials say U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) is currently drafting a range of strategies, from increasing collaboration with Panama’s military to the less likely but drastic option of sending U.S. troops to seize control of the canal by force. SOUTHCOM Commander Adm. Alvin Holsey has reportedly presented draft strategies to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who is scheduled to visit Panama next month to assess the situation further. The likelihood of military intervention, officials say, depends on Panama’s willingness to cooperate with U.S. objectives.
President Trump: The U.S. Must ‘Reclaim’ the Canal
During his recent address to Congress, President Trump stated, “To further enhance our national security, my administration will be reclaiming the Panama Canal.” However, his administration has not yet clarified what this means in practical terms.
The former president has repeatedly refused to rule out military force, not only for the Panama Canal but also for Greenland, a strategic NATO territory controlled by Denmark. Trump has falsely claimed that China operates the Panama Canal, despite the fact that the waterway is sovereign Panamanian property and run by the Panama Canal Authority.
Economic and Strategic Concerns
President Trump has linked the canal takeover to both economic security and geopolitical competition with China. Earlier this month, the New York-based investment firm BlackRock led a $23 billion deal to purchase port operations at both ends of the canal from a Hong Kong-based conglomerate. Trump has since used the deal to claim, “We’ve already started reclaiming it.”
However, Panamanian President José Raúl Molina quickly rejected Trump’s assertion, saying, “The Panama Canal is not in the process of being reclaimed… The canal is Panamanian and will continue to be Panamanian!”
Panama’s Fragile Relationship with the U.S.
Panama has made significant efforts to maintain strong ties with the U.S., including:
- Pulling out of China’s Belt and Road Initiative
- Accepting third-country migrants deported by the U.S.
- Backing the U.S. on Ukraine at the United Nations
- Auditing its ports amid U.S. security concerns
However, some Panamanian officials argue that appeasing Trump is not working. Writing for Americas Quarterly, Panamanian legal expert Alonso E. Illueca warned that Trump’s escalating demands could threaten Panama’s sovereignty, urging the country to build alliances beyond the U.S.-China rivalry.
A History of U.S. Military Action in Panama
The Panama Canal Zone was under U.S. control from its construction in the early 20th century until then-President Jimmy Carter signed the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, transferring sovereignty to Panama by 1999. Under these treaties, the U.S. maintains the right to use military force to defend the canal’s neutrality.
The United States has previously intervened militarily in Panama, including:
- 1964: A student uprising against U.S. control led to 26 deaths.
- 1989: President George H.W. Bush ordered the full-scale U.S. invasion of Panama to capture Manuel Noriega, a former CIA ally turned dictator. Hundreds of Panamanian civilians were killed in the conflict.
What’s Next?
With President Trump’s directives to Pentagon leaders, military strategists are expected to finalize proposals in the coming weeks. Whether this escalates into direct U.S. action remains uncertain, but the issue has already triggered strong international reactions and raised concerns over U.S. foreign policy.
Stay tuned for further updates on CC News Network.
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