Fri Apr 11 01:11:37 UTC 2025: ## US Secures Expanded Military Access to Panama Canal Zone
**Panama City, Panama –** The United States has secured a significant expansion of its military presence near the Panama Canal, allowing US troops to deploy to a network of Panamanian facilities for training and exercises. The agreement, signed by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Panamanian Security Minister Frank Abrego on April 9th, grants the US broad access to former US bases, though it stops short of allowing the construction of new US bases.
The deal, hailed by the Trump administration as a crucial step in reasserting US influence over the vital waterway, allows for deployment of an unspecified number of US personnel. President Trump has repeatedly voiced concerns about growing Chinese influence over the canal, which handles a significant portion of US and global trade. While the agreement does not grant the US outright control, it significantly enhances its military capabilities in the region. The move has been met with mixed reactions, reflecting concerns among some Panamanians about the extent of US military presence. The agreement follows President Trump’s return to power and his stated aim to regain control of the canal, which the US controlled until 1999.
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