US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday floated the idea of US troops returning to Panama to “secure” its strategically vital canal, a suggestion quickly rejected by the country’s government.
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During a visit to Panama, Hegseth suggested that “by invitation” the United States could “revive” military bases or naval air stations and rotate deployments of US troops to an isthmus the United States invaded 35 years ago.
Since coming to power in January, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that China has too much influence over the canal, which handles about 40 per cent of US container traffic and five per cent of world trade.
His administration has vowed to “take back” control of the interoceanic waterway that the United States funded, built and controlled until 1999.
Hegseth on Wednesday suggested the slew of former US military bases that dot Panama could again be used to host US troops.
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He said a deal signed with Panama this week was an “opportunity to revive, whether it’s the military base, naval air station, locations where US troops can work with Panamanian troops to enhance capabilities and cooperate in a rotational way”.