US recognizes Panama s sovereignty over canal Panama says after talks

PANAMA CITY - Panama said on April 9 that the US recognises its sovereignty over the Panama Canal, despite tough rhetoric from Washington, as the two nations announced agreements to deepen US military training in the Central American country.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also gave a public nod to Panamanian sovereignty at the conclusion of the first visit by a Pentagon chief to Panama in decades.

Mr Hegseth said he sees the canal as key terrain that Panama would secure together with the US – and not with China.

“We are helping to take back the Panama Canal from communist Chinese influence,” Mr Hegseth told a press briefing in Panama City.

The Panamanian government has strongly rejected US President Donald Trump’s allegations that the key waterway is controlled by China.

But current and former US officials and experts say the US has legitimate security concerns about China’s presence in Panama, including that ports and other infrastructure held by Chinese firms could be used for espionage.

During Mr Hegseth’s visit, the US 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 its sovereignty over the canal.

The sentence read: “In addition, Secretary Hegseth recognised the leadership and inalienable sovereignty of Panama over the Panama Canal and its adjacent areas.”

Speaking to reporters shortly before boarding his flight back to Washington, Mr Hegseth said: “We certainly respect the sovereignty of the Panamanians and the Panama Canal.”

He expressed gratitude that Panama has welcomed US troops on Panamanian soil “by invitation through rotational, joint exercises”.

Panama’s Public Security Minister Frank Abrego said Panama would not allow permanent military bases.

“Secretary Hegseth, in the meeting we had in