US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will visit Panama next week as part of a regional security conference. He will hold bilateral meetings with Panamanian officials and other Central American nations, aiming to strengthen partnerships in the region. The talks are aimed at achieving a peaceful and secure Western Hemisphere.
Hegseth’s visit comes amid ongoing tensions over the Panama Canal, which is considered a crucial waterway by the US government. However, no details have been provided on how the US plans to “take back” the canal or if military action will be required.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-defense-secretary-hegseth-visit-panama-next-week-2025-04-04