Trump Indicates Possible Military Action to Regain Control of Panama Canal, Seeks Strategic Plan – One America News Network
OAN Staff Brooke Mallory
11:55 PM – Friday, March 14, 2025
Reports indicate that President Donald Trump has directed the U.S. military to develop a variety of strategies to reclaim the Panama Canal, aiming to deter communist China from expanding its activities in the vicinity.
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The U.S. Southern Command is planning to spearhead this initiative, as noted by NBC News, contemplating the possibility of the U.S. military retaking the Panama Canal if necessary, while ideally coordinating with Panamanian security forces.
Officials have indicated that military involvement will depend on Panama’s willingness to comply with U.S. requests. Should Panamanian authorities acquiesce, the U.S. military’s intervention will not be required.
Admiral Alvin Holsey, Commander of the United States Southern Command, “presented draft strategies to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this week,” according to reports.
As per officials, the prospect of the United States regaining control of the canal is feasible, but most likely contingent upon Trump’s goal of reasserting control, which the U.S. originally funded and constructed, accompanied by a heightened American military presence.
Overall, the Trump administration aims to bolster U.S. military strength in Panama to counteract growing Chinese influence in the area. He has consistently articulated that it is unjust for China to exploit the canal, which is an American achievement, given that China represents the largest economic challenge to the United States.
However, both Panama and China refute any assertions of foreign interference regarding the 50-mile canal, whose neutrality is enshrined in Panama’s Constitution. Meanwhile, Chinese authorities have accused the U.S. of “coercing” Panamanian officials to undermine Chinese projects.
“It was given away by the Carter administration for $1, but that agreement has been violated very severely,” Trump articulated during his recent address to Congress. “We didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back.”
A portion of the report states: “Privately, Trump has expressed to his advisers that a U.S. military presence in Panama and at the canal is essential to this effort, according to U.S. officials. Trump has also made it known that he desires to see U.S. service members visibly present in the canal zone as a demonstration of strength.
Trump administration representatives contend that China maintains an excessive presence near the canal. In the event of a conflict, Beijing could impede American shipping — including military vessels — by closing the canal.
China is noted for “playing the long game” with its global economic initiatives, strategically leveraging them to advance its objectives, as stated last year before the House Armed Services Committee by Gen. Laura Richardson, who was then head of United States Southern Command.
“The PRC [People’s Republic of China] markets its investments as peaceful, but many are in reality avenues for future multi-domain access for the PLA [People’s Liberation Army] and strategic naval chokepoints,” she remarked. “In Panama, PRC-controlled State-Owned Enterprises, SOEs, continue to compete for contracts related to the Panama Canal — a critical global strategic chokepoint.”
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