U.S. troops will be deployed to a string of bases along the Panama Canal under a bilateral deal seen by AFP, a major concession to President Donald Trump as he seeks to reestablish influence over the vital waterway.
The agreement, signed by top security officials from both countries, allows U.S. military personnel to deploy to Panama-controlled facilities for training, exercises and “other activities.”
The deal stops short of allowing the United States to build its own permanent bases on the isthmus, a move that would be deeply unpopular with Panamanians and legally fraught.
But it gives the United States broad sway to deploy an unspecified number of personnel to bases, some of which Washington built when it occupied the canal zone decades ago.
Trump, since returning to power in January, has repeatedly claimed that China has too much influence over the canal, which handles about 40% of U.S. container traffic and 5% of world trade.
His administration has vowed to “take back” control of the strategic waterway that the United States funded, built and controlled until 1999.
