Trump’s Bold Push to Reclaim the Panama Canal
President Trump isn’t pulling any punches. Fresh reports show he’s moving forward with plans to retake the Panama Canal. This is classic America First—nothing’s off the table.
According to officials who spoke with NBC News, Trump asked military leaders to “draw up options” for a plan that would either see the U.S. partnering more closely with Panamanian security forces or potentially taking the canal back by force.
U.S. Southern Command is developing potential plans that vary from partnering more closely with Panamanian security forces to the less likely option of U.S. troops seizing the Panama Canal by force, the officials said.
Whether military force is used, the officials added, depends on how much Panamanian security forces agree to partner with the U.S.
The Trump administration’s goal is to increase the U.S. military presence in Panama to diminish China’s influence there, particularly access to the canal, the officials said.
The U.S. officials told NBC News that the commander of U.S. Southern Command, Adm. Alvin Holsey, presented draft strategies to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this week. Hegseth is expected to visit Panama next month.
Trump hasn’t backed down on his campaign promises. After winning last November, he’s been clear about his stance: America built the canal at a very high cost and should never let it fall into the wrong hands. He’s not keen on Panama profiting off American sacrifice or letting China gain a strategic edge.
In a fiery joint address to Congress earlier this month, Trump laid it all out. He recalled the harsh realities of building the canal and blasted past administrations for decisions he calls disastrous.
To further enhance our national security, my administration will be reclaiming the Panama Canal, and we’ve already started doing it.
Just today, a large American company announced they are buying both ports around the Panama Canal and lots of other things having to do with the Panama Canal and a couple of other canals.
The Panama Canal was built by Americans for Americans, not for others, but others could use it. But it was built at tremendous cost of American blood and treasure.
Thirty-eight thousand workers died building the Panama Canal. They died of malaria. They died of snake bites and mosquitoes. Not a nice place to work.
They paid them very highly to go there, knowing there was a 25 percent chance that they would die. The most expensive project, also, that was ever built in our country’s history, if you bring it up to modern-day costs.
It was given away by the Carter administration for $1, but that agreement has been violated very severely. We didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to Panama last month. His trip was all about confronting the issues head on. After discussions, Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino confirmed he wouldn’t renew Panama’s involvement in China’s Silk Road initiative, and might even pull out before its renewal.
Trump’s strategy is all about protecting American interests. He’s fed up with handing over our hard-earned legacy to other nations or letting our assets be manipulated by rivals. If it means working with Panama or showing up with force, the administration is ready. America isn’t about to be pushed around anymore.
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