A. M. US President Donald Trump has asked the Pentagon to prepare plans to retake control of the Panama Canal, as reported by NBC. Among the options being studied would be the sending of troops in coordination with Panama or, in a more extreme scenario, the use of force.
Trump has repeatedly mentioned his concern about alleged Chinese influence over the Canal, a claim the panamanian government has denied. During his speech to Congress last week, the president reiterated that the United States will “recover” the interoceanic waterway.
The U.S. Southern Command would be evaluating different strategies, depending on the level of cooperation that Panamanian military forces are willing to offer. However, Panama’s official position is that only its government can summon other nations to defend the Canal’s operation in case of a threat.
Trump’s statements have generated tensions between the two countries, reviving a historically sensitive issue. Since the signing of the Torrijos-Carter treaties in 1977, Panama has exercised full control of the Canal since december 31, 1999, and any attempt at foreign intervention could spark a diplomatic crisis.
The Panama Canal remains a key strategic route for world trade, and any disruption in its control could have far-reaching economic and geopolitical implications. For now, the Panamanian government maintains its firm stance on its sovereignty, while the world closely observes the evolution of this situation.
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