This country is becoming a springboard for the consolidation of U.S. military presence in the region, Professor Rodriguez warned.

On Wednesday, under the banner of “strengthening regional security,” Panama and the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding that prioritizes free passage for U.S. military vessels through the Panama Canal and reinstates the rotational presence of U.S. troops in the Central American country.

RELATED:

The Pentagon Leader Meets With Panama Canal Authorities

Celebrated by Washington as a geostrategic victory, the agreement consolidates an asymmetric exchange: the United States will receive priority and exemptions for its warships transiting the Canal, while Panama would receive an as-yet undetermined “compensation” for providing security services.

Canal Affairs Minister Ricardo Rivera insisted that this does not constitute “free transit,” but rather a form of retribution for U.S. “efforts” in protection. However, neither the amount nor the payment mechanism has been clarified, fueling suspicions of a lack of transparency.

“Panama is becoming a springboard for the consolidation of U.S. military presence in the region, while our history of resistance against foreign interference is ignored,” said Abdiel Rodriguez, a professor of International Relations at the University of Panama.

Mentions of Panamanian Sovereignty Are Watered Down

Although the joint declaration mentions “respect for Panama’s inalienable sovereignty,” this clause appears only in the Spanish-language version of the document and is absent from the English version—something that has not gone unnoticed.

For many Panamanians, the omission of sovereignty references evokes historical practices of fine print in treaties, such as the 1977 Torrijos-Carter Treaties, which returned the Canal to Panama after 85 years of U.S. control.

Wednesday’s agreement includes the reestablishment of rotational troops at U.S. bases such as Rodman and Howard and the reactivation of the Jungle Operations Training Center at Fort Sherman, which was closed in 1999 following criticism for training counterinsurgency forces.

“It is outrageous to see U.S. planes and soldiers here, 36 years after the 1989 invasion,” Rodriguez said, referring to the military intervention that left hundreds dead.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Peter Hegseth did not hide the fact that the pact is intended to counter China, whose Hong Kong-based operator manages two ports near the Canal.

“They must secure the passage with the U.S., not with China,” he said, echoing the rhetoric of U.S. President Donald Trump.

“We are taking back the Panama Canal from malignant Chinese influence and protecting American interests,” said Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell in a statement.

“They’re inventing a war with China that doesn’t exist. Our fight is against inequality and corruption. We are not a geopolitical pawn,” Rodriguez said, referencing a 2022 bribery scandal involving contracts disclosed by the Panama Canal Authority.

Neutrality or Subordination?

The Panamanian government insists it has not surrendered its sovereignty. Security Minister Frank Abrego emphasized that the country—which has had no military since 1990—retains police control and that military activities constitute “bilateral cooperation.”

Nonetheless, the language of the memorandum is vague: it refers to “interoperability” between forces and “joint trainings” without specifying limits.

The Canal remains a symbol of sovereignty for Panama. Its transfer in 1999 was celebrated as the end of colonialism, yet its management remains tied to treaties negotiated under pressure. Now, with the U.S. reinforcing its influence, many fear a step backward.

“This agreement is not neutral: it ties our security to Washington’s interests. What’s the point of talking about sovereignty if we invite foreign troops? It’s a historical irresponsibility,” Rodriguez pointed out.

Meanwhile, Hegseth toured the Pacific locks and announced further “collaboration” in cybersecurity and engineering—the new buzzwords for the old game of American power.

teleSUR/ JF

Sources: teleSUR – La Estrella de Panama

EN ESTA NOTA: