Posted on 04/06/2025 8:51:46 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
In a bold move signaling America's renewed strength on the global stage, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is set to visit Panama as President Donald Trump declares the U.S. is "reclaiming" control over the Panama Canal. With the Trump administration focused on asserting American influence and safeguarding vital national interests, this trip marks a significant step in strengthening ties with Panama and reinforcing the strategic importance of the canal to U.S. trade and security. As the president takes decisive action on the world stage, Hegseth's visit underscores a broader push to reclaim America's leadership role in global affairs.
Hegseth is traveling to Panama City, Panama, next week to participate in the 2025 Central American Security Conference, where he will meet with the country’s president, Jose Raul Mulino, and attend a meeting of regional chiefs of defense. He will also travel to Eglin AFB to visit service members and command leadership at the 7th Special Forces Group. The trip is part of Trump’s efforts to regain control of the key strategic and military resources.
Chief spokesman Sean Parnell said Hegseth will participate in discussions that "drive ongoing efforts to strengthen the U.S.'s partnerships with Panama and other Central American nations toward our shared vision for a peaceful and secure Western Hemisphere.”
During his March address to Congress, Trump said he would reclaim the Panama Canal as part of his administration’s plans to enhance the United States’s national security, adding that they’ve “already started doing it.”
In December, Trump voiced his frustration over the fees Panama imposes on the U.S. for using the Panama Canal. In a Truth Social post, the president said, "The fees Panama charges are outrageous, especially considering the immense generosity the U.S. has shown to Panama. This blatant 'rip-off' of our country will come to an end immediately.”
However, President Mulino claimed that Trump is “lying” about purchasing the region, adding that the “Canal is Panamanian and will continue to be Panamanian!”
“I reject, on behalf of Panama and all Panamanians, this new affront to the truth and to our dignity as a nation,” he wrote. “Cooperation between our governments requires clear understandings on issues of mutual interest, as has been done. It has nothing to do with the ‘recovery of the Canal’ or with tarnishing our national sovereignty,” he wrote on X.
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Not.
So is Trump going to try and buy the canal, get a new Treaty signed (story below), or invade?
I’ve heard people say the US built the canal, but I’ve also heard that Canada built major canals in the US.
History Channel
Why the US Returned the Panama Canal
After a tense lead-up, treaties signed in 1977 paved the way to ending American management of the 51-mile-long waterway.
“... The low point in U.S.-Panamanian relations came in 1964 when clashes began in the U.S.-controlled Panama Canal Zone over the flying of a Panama flag alongside a U.S. flag at a local high school. The country erupted in widespread riots, 22 Panamanians were killed by U.S. troops and Panama cut off diplomatic relations with America.
Over the next decade, starting with Lyndon Johnson, several American administrations tried to negotiate a deal for ceding the canal to Panama. But it was Jimmy Carter in 1977 who overcame political opposition to sign the treaties ending the American operation of the Panama Canal in 1999.
...”
https://www.history.com/articles/panama-canal-return-panama-treaties-carter
Let’s just take it! It’s ours anyway and Jimmah Carter is worm dirt.
“I am altering the deal. Pray I don’t alter it any further.”
This is stupid.
RE: This is stupid.
Can you elaborate?
Letting Panama have the canal was stupid. 🙄
‘I’ve heard people say the US built the canal,’
That’s because the US built the canal.
Correct, but you missed the point.
Canada can say they built major US canals.
So does Canada get them back?
Obviously not.
So it comes down to a new treaty or buying the Panama Canal.
Continued...
I mean, neocons will disagree with me, but that’s on them.
Exactly.
Nonsequiturs and red herrings.
Which totally ignores the terms of the treaty, and how they’ve been violated by Panama (with China).
But you run with that.
| Ah, now that the tariffs are in place, you begin to see the significance of having FULL control of the Canal once again. We don't want China or any trading partner complaining -- or slowing down the traffic, etc. Having the canal functioning great is in our best interests more than ever. And it's real nice that we've got a Spanish speaking Secretary of State to make this happen! Go Marco! |
....... it’s real nice that we’ve got a Spanish speaking
Secy of State to make this happen! Go Marco!.........
Good point
“I’ve also heard that Canada built major canals in the US.”
Maybe that’s true, but I’ve never heard that before. It’s hard to imagine the Canadian government doing that. It’s usually the case of the USA doing FOR every other country. Why would Canada do that?
Why would Canada do that?
A quick way to the Gulf of America, maybe
The US DID build the canal. What canals did Canada build that the US is using?
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