Pentagon chief: We respect Panama Canal sovereignty

PANAMA CITY — Panama said on Wednesday the United States recognized its sovereignty over the Panama Canal, despite tough rhetoric from Washington, as the two countries announced agreements to deepen US military training in the Central American country.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also gave a public nod to Panamanian sovereignty at the conclusion of the first visit by a Pentagon chief to Panama in decades. Hegseth said he sees the canal as key terrain that Panama would secure together with the US.

During Hegseth's visit, the US and Panama issued joint statements about deepening security cooperation. However, the statement's English-language version did not include a sentence that was in the Spanish version published by Panama — speaking about Panama's sovereignty over the canal.

The sentence read, "In addition, Secretary Hegseth recognized the leadership and inalienable sovereignty of Panama over the Panama Canal and its adjacent areas."

Speaking to reporters shortly before boarding his flight back to Washington, Hegseth said, "We certainly respect the sovereignty of the Panamanians and the Panama Canal."

He expressed gratitude that Panama has welcomed US troops on Panamanian soil "by invitation through rotational, joint exercises".

Panama's Minister of Public Security Frank Abrego said Panama would not allow permanent military bases.

"Panama made clear, through President (Jose Raul) Mulino, that we cannot accept military bases or defense sites," Abrego said in a joint public appearance with Hegseth.

"Secretary Hegseth, in the meeting we had in private, recognized the sovereignty of Panama over the Panama Canal," he told reporters.

More than 40 percent of US container traffic, valued at roughly $270 billion a year, goes through the Panama Canal, accounting for more than two-thirds of vessels passing each day through the world's second-busiest interoceanic waterway.

Hegseth's trip followed reports that the Donald Trump administration has requested options from the US military to ensure access to the canal, which the United States funded, built and controlled until 1999.

Trump has complained that handing over the canal was a bad deal for the US.

Agencies Via Xinhua