Panamanian President Won't Renegotiate US Troop Access Deal Amid Protests

Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has firmly rejected calls to renegotiate a recently signed agreement granting U.S. troops access to Panamanian facilities, despite widespread public protests accusing him of compromising national sovereignty. The deal, signed during a visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, allows U.S. military personnel to use Panamanian-controlled bases for training and operations related to drug trafficking and canal protection, but explicitly does not permit the establishment of U.S. military bases. U.S. Ambassador Kevin Marino Cabrera has reiterated that the agreement strengthens cooperation and maintains Panama's control over the facilities, with the country retaining the right to terminate the pact with six months' notice. The agreement has sparked significant opposition among Panamanians, who remain sensitive to U.S. military presence due to historical events such as the 1989 U.S. invasion and concerns over U.S. interest in reclaiming control of the Panama Canal, a stance publicly expressed by former President Donald Trump. While protesters argue that the pact undermines Panama's sovereignty and neutrality, Mulino dismisses the demonstrations as politically motivated and insists that the nation's sovereignty is not at risk. Both governments emphasize the agreement's focus on security cooperation rather than territorial concessions.