In a move that is likely to draw global attention and stir diplomatic waters, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is scheduled to travel to Panama next week amid rising tensions surrounding President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks on the Panama Canal.
The Department of Defense confirmed on Friday that Hegseth will participate in the 2025 Central American Security Conference in Panama City, where he will engage in high-level talks with regional defense leaders.
According to Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell, the meetings will focus on strengthening bilateral security partnerships and advancing a shared vision for stability across the Western Hemisphere. But the timing of Hegseth’s visit—and its location—has not gone unnoticed. Just weeks ago, President Trump reignited a long-dormant geopolitical debate by declaring that the U.S. intends to “take back” the Panama Canal.
Speaking during a joint address to Congress, Trump stunned foreign policy circles by stating, “We didn’t give it to China; we gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back.” The declaration was both blunt and symbolic, delivered before a national audience, and it has quickly rippled through diplomatic channels.
Nuevamente miente el Presidente Trump. El Canal de Panamá no está en proceso de recuperación y mucho menos es la tarea que en nuestras conversaciones con el Secretario Rubio ni ningún otro se haya ni siquiera conversado. Rechazo a nombre de Panamá y de todos los panameños esta…
— José Raúl Mulino (@JoseRaulMulino) March 5, 2025
This is not Trump’s first foray into the Panama Canal issue. Back in December, he lashed out at the toll fees charged by Panama for U.S. vessels passing through the canal, calling them “ridiculous” and a “rip-off.” On Truth Social, Trump accused Panama of exploiting American generosity and vowed to end what he described as an unjust arrangement.
Panama’s response has been firm and unapologetic. President José Raúl Mulino categorically rejected Trump’s assertions, stating unequivocally that the canal is not subject to renegotiation or reclamation.
“The Canal is Panamanian and will continue to be Panamanian,” he wrote on social media. Mulino also denied that any discussions with U.S. officials—including Secretary of State Marco Rubio—had included language suggesting a U.S. bid to reclaim control.
Hegseth’s visit, though ostensibly focused on regional security, now exists under the shadow of Trump’s remarks. Whether the trip is intended to smooth diplomatic tensions or signal a firmer stance is unclear. What is certain is that the optics are complex. The Panama Canal, long a symbol of strategic maritime dominance, remains a politically charged subject, and any U.S. involvement—even in rhetoric—carries historical weight.
Following his Panama stop, Hegseth will return to Florida to meet with troops and command leadership at Eglin Air Force Base, where the 7th Special Forces Group is headquartered. This second leg, while more traditional in scope, may serve as a domestic counterbalance to an overseas visit fraught with geopolitical implications.