Military exercises between Panama and the United States to protect the canal 2025
Panama's Ministry of Security announced on Monday the start of joint military exercises between Panamanian security units and U.S. Marines, a strategic move aimed at strengthening security around the vital Panama Canal. The intensive drills, scheduled to continue until February 26, involve approximately 50 U.S. Marines, along with 61 Panamanian naval, air, and border police units.
The official statement explained that this joint training program focuses primarily on enhancing combat readiness and improving the ability to respond rapidly to complex operational scenarios that could threaten the canal's security. These maneuvers are of particular importance given the strategic significance of the Panama Canal as one of the world's most vital waterways, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and carrying a substantial portion of global maritime trade, making its security a top priority for national and international economic security.
Historical background and political context
These military movements come in a delicate geopolitical context, as relations between the two countries have previously been strained. On January 2, Panamanian President José Raúl Molino announced the end of the diplomatic crisis with Washington, which had erupted following statements by US President Donald Trump in 2025 threatening to retake control of the canal, claiming it was under Chinese control. Historically, the United States administered the canal and the surrounding area from its construction in the early 20th century until its complete transfer to Panama on December 31, 1999, under the Torrijos-Carter Treaties.
To contain these tensions and ensure security cooperation, the United States and Panama signed a new Strategic Cooperation Agreement in April 2025. This agreement, the result of US pressure, allows for the deployment of US forces in the vicinity of the canal and the use of air and naval bases for training purposes, with the consent of the Panamanian government, for a renewable period of three years.
Regional security and drug control
These maneuvers coincide with a significant US military buildup in the Caribbean and Pacific regions. Washington has deployed a fleet of warships under the banner of combating drug trafficking, operations which, since last September, have resulted in the deaths of at least 115 people whom Washington describes as drug traffickers.
In a dramatic turn of events in the region, these military buildups were linked to the political change in Venezuela, where the United States launched airstrikes and a ground operation in Caracas, leading to the overthrow and arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was then transferred to the United States to stand trial on charges related to “narco-terrorism.” This complex scenario reflects Washington’s desire to reshape the security landscape in the Western Hemisphere and assert its influence in the face of growing regional and international challenges.
