Panama said on Wednesday the United States recognized its sovereignty over the Panama Canal, despite tough rhetoric from Washington, as the two nations announced agreements to deepen U.S. military training in the Central American nation.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he sees the canal as key terrain that Panama would secure together with the U.S. – and not with China.
During Hegseth’s visit, the U.S. and Panama issued joint statements about deepening security cooperation. But the English-language version published by the Pentagon did not include a sentence that was in the Spanish-language version published by Panama that spoke about Panama’s sovereignty over the canal.
The sentence read: “In addition, Secretary Hegseth recognized the leadership and inalienable sovereignty of Panama over the Panama Canal and its adjacent areas.”
Asked whether he recognized Panama’s sovereignty, Hegseth said: “We certainly understand that the Panama Canal is in Panama, and protecting Panamanian sovereignty from malign influence is important.”
“Which is why when President Trump says we’re taking back the Panama Canal from Chinese influence that involves partnership with the United States and Panama,” Hegseth said.
Read more in an article from gCaptain.
