The presence of American troops is a sensitive issue in the country of Central America, because it recalls the time when the United States had an enclave with military bases before giving in the Panamanian canal in 1999.
The American army and private military companies engaged by the United States “will be able to use authorized sites, installations and areas designated for training, humanitarian activities […] And exercises, “said the agreement signed by the Pentagon chief, Pete Hegseth, visiting this week in Panama, and the Panamanian Minister of Defense, Frank Abrego.
The agreement, lasting three years renewable, specifies that the facilities will be the property of the Panamanian State and will be intended for “joint use” by the forces of the two countries.
“Put fire in the country”
Since coming to power in January, US President Donald Trump has placed the Panama Canal, which allows you to go from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean without bypassing South America, at the top of its strategic agenda, in particular to counter Chinese interests in this Latin American area. He even mentioned the possibility of “taking up” the channel that the United States built in 1914 and sold to Panama in 1999.
The canal provides around 40% of container traffic in the United States and 5% of world trade.
The United States has long participated in military exercises in Panama, but the long-term presence of American forces could be a political handicap for the Panamanian president of center-right, José Raul Mulino, say political scientists.
-Mr. Mulino, traveling to Peru on Thursday, confirmed that the United States had asked to restore military bases in the country and “territory sales”, which he had refused. “You want disorder […] Put fire in the country? “, He said that he answered Pete Hegseth.” This canal is and will remain Panamania “.
During a press conference on Wednesday, the United States Minister of Defense suggested that joint defense exercises were “an opportunity to revive” a “military base”, where “American troops” would operate, arousing discomfort. “We cannot accept military bases or defense sites,” reacted Mr. Abrego at the same press conference.
Difficult relations
The country has difficult relations with the United States, after an American occupation of the canal area for several decades and the American operation 35 years ago to overthrow the dictator Manuel Noriega who had left more than 500 people. Donald Trump’s aims on the Panama canal have sparked major demonstrations in the country.
According to the law, Panama operates the canal by giving access to all nations. But the American president has pointed out the role of the Panama Ports Company (PPC) company, a subsidiary of a Hong Kong group, which operates the ports located at the two ends of the canal.
Under pressure from the White House, Panama accused PPC not to comply with its contractual obligations and asked the company to withdraw from the country.
The mother of the port of ports, CK Hutchison, announced last month an agreement to sell 43 ports in 23 countries – including its two ports on the Panama Canal – to a consortium led by the American investment fund Blackrock, for an amount of $ 19 billion. Furious, China has announced an examination of the operation by the Chinese competition authorities.
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