Reports emerged suggesting that President Donald Trump has directed the U.S. military to draft plans to seize control of the Panama Canal, a critical global trade artery.
If confirmed, this development would mark a bold and controversial escalation in U.S. foreign policy, raising questions about international law, sovereignty, and Trump’s intentions for his second term.
According to an article published today by Express.co.uk, U.S. officials have indicated that military action in Panama would be a contingency if the country refuses to allow Trump to “reclaim” the canal.
The report states that Donald Trump has ordered the U.S. military to devise strategies to increase troop presence in Panama, with options ranging from cooperation with the Panamanian military to a forcible takeover.
Two unnamed officials cited by NBC News reportedly told Express.co.uk that U.S. Southern Command, led by Admiral Alvin Holsey, has already submitted draft plans to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ahead of his planned visit to Panama next month.
The Express.co.uk piece notes Trump’s public rhetoric about “reclaiming” the Panama Canal, though it remains unclear what this term entails—whether it’s a renegotiation of control, a symbolic gesture, or an outright seizure.
The Panama Canal, handed over to Panama by the United States in 1999 under the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, has long been a point of pride for Panamanians and a linchpin of global commerce. Any move to alter its status would likely provoke international backlash.
Posts on X today reflect a mix of alarm and skepticism among users.
One post from @pleasesaveour warned, “We are turning into Russia very fast,” linking Trump’s alleged plans to authoritarian tendencies.
Another, from @Silver_1_Spirit, speculated, “Seems like we’re going to war soon,” citing a Raw Story article titled “White House asks military for plans to seize Panama Canal ‘by force.’” While X posts are not definitive evidence, they highlight growing public concern and the rapid spread of this narrative online.
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has pushed back against these claims.
In a recent social media statement referenced by Express.co.uk, Mulino asserted, “The Panama Canal is not in the process of being reclaimed,” signaling Panama’s intent to maintain sovereignty over the waterway.
This rebuttal suggests a potential diplomatic clash if the U.S. pursues any aggressive action.
The Raw Story report, echoed across X, aligns with Express.co.uk’s account, stating that the White House has explicitly requested military options, including a forceful seizure.
However, without direct access to additional primary sources or official statements from the Trump administration, these claims remain unverified beyond the initial reporting.
The lack of a clear motive—beyond Trump’s vague “reclaim” rhetoric—adds to the uncertainty.
Is this a strategic move to assert U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere, a response to perceived economic threats, or simply political posturing?
Historically, the U.S. has intervened in Panama, most notably during the 1989 invasion to oust Manuel Noriega.
Yet, the canal’s current status as a neutral, Panamanian-operated entity under international agreements makes any military action a legal and diplomatic minefield.
Critics, as seen in X sentiments like @kpasta’s “delusional attempt to become a dictatorial monarch,” argue this could signal a broader pattern of unilateralism in Trump’s second term.
