US Military Training Resumes in Panama, Sparking Sovereignty Concerns
Panama City, Panama – For the first time in over two decades, US Army troops are conducting jungle training exercises in Panama, a move coinciding with increased US military activity in the Caribbean and escalating rhetoric towards Venezuela and Colombia. The training, centered at the Cristóbal Colón naval air base, began earlier this year and is expected to expand significantly by 2026, according to Pentagon officials.
While the US maintains the exercises are not related to potential intervention in Venezuela, the timing and location have raised eyebrows. A retired US Marine Corps colonel, Steve Ganyard, suggests the move serves both practical and strategic purposes. “Panama offers a more accessible training ground than locations like Okinawa, and its jungles present unique challenges,” he stated. “However, conducting combat training in the region undoubtedly sends a message to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.”
The renewed US interest in Panama follows statements made by president Donald Trump earlier this year expressing a desire to regain greater control over the Panama canal, citing concerns over Chinese influence. Trump has also intensified his criticism of Venezuelan and Colombian leadership, accusing them of involvement in drug trafficking – allegations vehemently denied by both governments.
This increased military cooperation is formalized through recently signed security agreements allowing for a temporary and rotating US military presence in Panama, ostensibly for the defence of the Canal. However, these agreements have ignited controversy within Panama. Several sectors of Panamanian society argue the pacts violate the nation’s sovereignty and the neutrality Treaty governing the waterway. The Mulino government has strongly refuted these claims.
The training program, involving platoons of up to 40 soldiers, focuses on jungle survival and combat skills. A Pentagon official emphasized the value of training in such demanding environments, stating, “If you can train and fight in one of the most challenging and challenging places in the world, you create a truly lethal and effective force.”
The shift in US-Panama relations is further underscored by a recent letter from President Trump to his Panamanian counterpart, José Raúl Mulino, praising Panama as a “firm friend and valuable ally” following a period of public disagreement regarding the Canal. The resumption of joint military training and the strengthening of bilateral ties signal a significant shift in regional dynamics, raising questions about the long-term implications for Panama’s neutrality and the broader geopolitical landscape of Latin America.
