U.S. Department of Defence Secretary, Peter Hegseth, has announced an expanded partnership between the U.S. and Panama regarding cooperative security activities in the Panama Canal.
Hegseth, who has been in Panama City for a three-day security conference with the host nation, made the expanded partnership announcement during a joint press conference with Panamanian Public Security Minister Frank Abrego.
“The Panama Canal is key terrain that must be secured by Panama, with America, and not China” Hegseth said.
He added that, just prior to the news conference, the U.S. and Panama signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) related to cooperative security activities in the region and that the signing of an additional declaration related to the security and operation of the Panama Canal would be forthcoming.
That declaration, Hegseth said, would also provide a framework for U.S. warships and auxiliary ships to travel “first and free” through the canal.
Furthermore, the Secretary added that the signed MoU would pave the way for an increased level of joint training exercises between the two countries and improve overall interoperability between both nations’ military forces by reestablishing a rotational joint presence at a handful of previously operational U.S. military installations.
The expanded security relationship between the two countries would additionally include information sharing, enhanced cyber cooperation, bilateral security dialogues and canal infrastructure improvements, Hegseth pointed out.
Our countries reaffirmed our shared commitment to protecting Panamanian sovereignty from maligned influence, and we recognize the foundational importance of our constitutional governments — including respect for our neutrality treaty.
…Hegseth said.
Signed Sept. 7, 1977, the Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal stipulated that the U.S. would relinquish control of the canal by the year 2000 while also ensuring open and secure waterway access to all nations.
When asked whether the U.S. still recognizes Panama’s sovereignty over the canal, Hegseth said that protecting Panamanian sovereignty from “maligned” influences in the region is essential.
In addition to partnering to secure the Panama Canal, Hegseth said the two countries are also working in tandem to counter cartels and criminal enterprises throughout the Americas, as well as securing their respective countries’ borders.
