The U.S. military is reviewing options to ensure American access to the Panama Canal, two officials told Reuters on Thursday, as President Donald Trump continues to push for greater U.S. control over the strategic waterway.
Trump has repeatedly stated that the U.S. must "take back" the Panama Canal, citing concerns over China's influence. However, he has not detailed how he intends to do so or whether military action might be involved.
A senior U.S. official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said an interim national security guidance document from the Trump administration instructs the military to explore ways to safeguard access to the canal. Another official suggested that the Pentagon is evaluating multiple options, including strengthening ties with Panama’s security forces.
The Pentagon did not immediately comment on the matter.
The Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, is a critical global trade artery. Trump has argued that China exerts too much control over the canal and could use it to undermine U.S. interests. He has accused Panama of violating commitments made under the 1999 handover agreement, which saw the canal transferred from U.S. to Panamanian control.
Under the 1977 Panama Canal Treaty, the U.S. and Panama are obligated to defend the canal’s neutrality. The agreement allows Washington to take unilateral action if the canal’s security is threatened.
Any military intervention or direct U.S. control of the canal would likely face international legal challenges. While Trump has floated the idea of reclaiming authority over the canal, experts say such a move would violate international law and strain diplomatic relations with Panama and other nations.
CNN first reported that the White House had ordered the Pentagon to prepare options for securing canal access. NBC News also reported that discussions were ongoing about possible U.S. actions.
The U.S. originally built and operated the Panama Canal after acquiring the rights in the early 20th century. The canal’s control was transferred to Panama on December 31, 1999, under a treaty brokered by former President Jimmy Carter.
As the Trump administration considers its next steps, the global community will be watching closely for any potential shifts in U.S. policy toward the canal and its geopolitical significance.
Russia and Ukraine have exchanged 10 prisoners of war each in Belarus, Moscow's Human Rights Commissio...
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told allied foreign ministers Washington will focus on sanctions and other pressure on Iran “for the time bein...
Kazakhstan is considering the Baku-Supsa pipeline as an alternative oil export route after Caspian Pipeline Consortium disruptions cost the country...
Oil prices fell after the U.S. expanded economic sanctions on Iran, as Tehran vowed to retaliate and warned it had tools to respond, raising concerns over potential disruption to regional oil supplies.
Kyiv has recently received a small number of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors capable of downing Russian ballistic missiles, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. It comes as Britain and France pledged stronger military support for Ukraine.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio told allied foreign ministers Washington will focus on sanctions and other pressure on Iran “for the time being”, Axios reports. Meanwhile, Iran and Oman have resumed talks on a temporary shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.
Only four commodity vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, following 13 transits a day earlier, as disruptions continue to restrict traffic through the key energy chokepoint.
Russia and Ukraine have exchanged 10 prisoners of war each in Belarus, Moscow's Human Rights Commissioner, Yana Lantratova, has said.
Russia and Ukraine have exchanged 10 prisoners of war each in Belarus, Moscow's Human Rights Commissioner, Yana Lantratova, has said.
Meta Platforms has agreed to pay up to $16.68 billion and make sweeping changes to Facebook and Instagram to settle claims that its platforms put children and teenagers at risk.
At least nine people have been killed and hundreds of tourists are missing after a massive landslide triggered catastrophic flooding near Nepal’s Himalayan border with China’s Tibet region.
Instagram Chief Adam Mosseri has acknowledged that few teenagers used Instagram’s “Take a Break” feature before it became a default setting, as Meta faces a major U.S. trial over child safety.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 26th of August, covering the latest developments.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment