The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has expressed his intention to strengthen national security by reclaiming the Panama Canal. Although it has not been clarified whether this statement seeks closer cooperation with Panama in terms of security or if it considers the use of military force to seize the canal, everything will depend on the response of the Panamanian government.
In the last two decades, China has increased its influence in the Panama Canal through investments in infrastructure and bilateral trade, which Trump considers necessary to obstruct. Since the beginning of his administration, the president has expressed interest in controlling territories such as Greenland and the Panama Canal, and he has now made his next steps regarding this last strategic area public.
The White House has ordered U.S. armed forces to prepare options to increase troop presence in Panama with the aim of "reclaiming" the Panama Canal, according to informed sources. Trump has commented on the possibility of using military force to achieve his purposes, although the certainty of this action is not yet confirmed. Although the statement about Greenland and the Panama Canal was initially interpreted as a provocation, it seems that Trump is now considering concrete measures regarding it.
