NewsUS deploys troops to Panama, secures Canal from China

US deploys troops to Panama, secures Canal from China

President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the USA has sent a "lot of troops" to Panama to ensure security in the Panama Canal region.

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 10: U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on April 10, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump convened a Cabinet meeting a day after announcing a 90-day pause on ‘reciprocal’ tariffs, with the exception of China. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 10: U.S. President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on April 10, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump convened a Cabinet meeting a day after announcing a 90-day pause on ‘reciprocal’ tariffs, with the exception of China. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Images source: © GETTY | Anna Moneymaker
Violetta Baran

The decision was revealed during a press briefing before a meeting with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Hegseth has recently returned from Panama, where he claims to have had a "very successful" visit. During the visit, he reached an agreement with Panamanian authorities on the security and usage of the Panama Canal, which will grant American warships priority passage and freedom of navigation. He also made an agreement concerning the deployment of American forces in Panama to "take back the Panama Canal from communist Chinese influence."

Trump responded to Hegseth's report by stating that the region is now under "very good control."

"We’ve moved a lot of troops to Panama, and, uh, filled up some areas that we used to have, we didn’t have any longer," Trump said. "But we have them now, and I think it’s in very good control, right?" he added.

More information will follow shortly.

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