US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will visit Panama next week, following in the footsteps of Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s early February trip. The meetings with President Jose Raul Mulino and regional chiefs of defense aim to strengthen partnerships with Central American nations towards a peaceful Western Hemisphere.
Hegseth’s visit comes as President Donald Trump claims America is “reclaiming” the Panama Canal, sparking concerns from Panama. The US has a small military presence in the country, and plans are reportedly underway to increase that number.
In March, Trump announced his administration’s intention to take control of the canal, citing national security concerns. However, Congress voted to transfer ownership to Panama in 1978, making it unlikely that the US will regain control.
Mulino has rejected Trump’s claims, stating that ownership is not being transferred and that the two leaders did not discuss the topic. The US has warned China about its growing involvement in the canal through its Belt and Road Initiative, a foreign aid scheme deemed exploitative by US officials.
Hegseth’s visit will focus on ensuring unfettered access to the canal and keeping it free from foreign interference, according to Pentagon sources. This move is part of the Trump administration’s efforts to assert US national security interests in the region.
Source: https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2025/04/04/hegseth-to-visit-panama-as-trump-says-us-is-reclaiming-its-canal