According to the report, Defense Secretary Pete Hegses asked defense officials to “provide reliable military options to provide reliable military options to ensure fair and free US military and commercial access.”
CNN reported that the requests were outlined in a memo sent to a senior leader entitled “Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance,” which replaces the 2022 defense strategy and guides the Department of Defense in line with President Donald Trump's vision.
NBC News reported that the US Southern Command presented a draft strategy to Hegseth this week, including the potential strategy “including ensuring that US vessels safely pass through the canal and restore total US ownership and operations.”
Other options under consideration include using the US military to secure existing ports in Panama, building new ports in Panama, and using the Army Corps of Engineers to operate canal locks.
Trump's goal is to control the 50-mile canal and counter China's growing influence over the region. Concerns could result in China closing the canal to American shipping and US troops in the event of a conflict. Banana refused to renew a major infrastructure agreement with China after Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Panama leader Jose Raul Murino in February to mitigate China's impact and face the possibility of retaliation. Hegus is reportedly visiting Panama next month.
Last week, Trump said, “The large American company announced that it would buy both ports around the Panama Canal, and many other things related to the Panama Canal and several other canals.”
As reported by NBC News, BlackRock is part of the group that buys 90% of the Panama Port Company, operating the ports of Balboa and Cristobal at the Pacific and Atlantic edges of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchinson.
Officials told NBC News that the US military has more than 200 troops in Panama, some of which are working with the Panama military to protect the country from internal threats.
CNN reported that Hegseth's memo outlined Trump administration's priorities as securing US borders, strengthening US presence in the Western Hemisphere, and focusing on China.
It also called for European allies to step up as “an allies, not dependents,” to provide military assistance to Israel, continue arming their partners in the Arabian Gulf, and to seek greater military cooperation between Israel and the Sunni Gulf states.
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