Hegseth Visits Panama Amid Trump's Canal Control Demands

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is set to visit Panama next week to attend the 2025 Central American Security Conference and engage with regional leaders, amidst President Trump's ongoing efforts to reclaim control over the Panama Canal. Trump has expressed frustration over fees imposed by Panama for canal usage and has accused China of increasing its influence in the region, claims that the Panamanian government has denied. Hegseth's trip is positioned as part of broader U.S. efforts to strengthen partnerships in Central America, with Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell emphasizing a vision for a peaceful and secure Western Hemisphere. The visit follows a recent $23 billion deal in which BlackRock, Inc. acquired control of two key ports in Panama, further complicating the geopolitical landscape. The discussions will also address concerns about national security and U.S. interests in the vital shipping lane. Critics of the canal handover argue that it has left the U.S. vulnerable to foreign manipulation, particularly from China.