Pete Hegseth to visit Panama as US raises pressure over canal

Open the White House viewing newsletter for free

Your Guide to What is the US 2024 Choice for Washington and the World

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hogh will leave Panama at the beginning of this week, as Washington increases the pressure on the Central American nation for the Chinese influence on his famous canal.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to restore the control of the Panama canal, the 110-year-old water pipeline, which is headed by about 5 percent of the global marine, claiming that two ports have emerged to two ports in Hong Kong.

In response to US pressure, Investor Group Leaders BlackRock It is recommended to buy a CK Hutchison port section, which has a concession in a deal worth $ 22.8 billion. However, the Chinese authorities are reviewing the deal, they suspect whether it will end.

Hegseth plans to take part in the American Central Security Conference in Panama and meet with President Jose Raul Mulino on Tuesday.

Hegchet’s trip “will make continuous efforts with Panaman and other Central American nations, our common vision for the peaceful and safe Western hemisphere,” said Pentagon spokesman Sean.

Last week, US servicemen were visible in Panama, as the two countries completed the initial stage of the annual exercise, which focused on the security and interoperability of the Panama canal. The US military service has said that more joint exercises will be held this week.

NBC News reported that the White House supported the Pentagon to make plans to make up the presence of US troops in Panama, including the operation of US soldiers. The White House did not answer the comment request.

Panama refuses to suddenly become US foreign policy priority. Washington’s move is coming, as Mulino is engaged in several internal challenges, including a sharp economic slowdown, the future of water risks and the future of the large copper mine, which was closed 18 months ago.

In February, Mulino and Hegs agreed to “Cooperation between US military and Panama security forces and protect the canal according to the Pentagon call reading.

Panama is also trying to overcome the Trump, which is broken on migrants, who are traveling to the United States, Dari000 miles 60 miles away between Colombia and Panama.

Marco Rubio’s first trip was abroad at the beginning of this year. The US Secretary of State told Mulino that he has been overcome by the European Committee’s Effectiveness of the Panama Canal, as a violation of the canal neutrality agreement, as a violation of the canal neutrality agreement.

Mulino and other Panama officials said that the canal is fully controlled by the Independent Panama Canal (PC), and that Panama’s sovereign control was not discussed.

A separate Panama set is implemented by the CK Hutchison Canal Concession, local lawmakers, which imply violations. The CM Hucco has denied that Trump’s criticism played a role in his decision to sell the ports and said that the deal was “purely commercial.”

On Friday, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Livanu spoke to the Panama Foreign Minister. The State Department said that the couple discussed the “importance” of the audit.

“The visit reflects how important relations with Panama have become for the United States,” Orlando Peres said, a professor of political science at the University of North Texas. He added that if the audit was to be irregularities, as many people think that “pressure for Panama regulator will take some action against portal concessions.”