President Donald Trump has ordered the US military to draw up plans to seize the Panama Canal in his bid to ‘reclaim’ the waterway, insiders have claimed.
The US Southern Command has developed an array of potential plans to ensure the America has full access to the Panama Canal, two military sources confirmed to Reuters.
Draft strategies reportedly range from partnering closely with Panamanian security forces to using American troops to forcibly seize the waterway, which officials say is the less likely option.
Officials allege Adm. Alvin Holsey, commander of US Southern Command, presented the proposals to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this week. Hegseth is reportedly visiting Panama next month.
Trump has asserted that the US needs to take back the canal because China controls it and could use the waterway to undermine American interests.
In his inaugural speech in January, Trump repeated accusations that Panama has broken the promises it made for the final transfer of the canal in 1999.
Any move by a foreign power to take the canal by force would almost certainly violate international law.
A US invasion of Panama is unlikely, the insiders cautioned, telling NBC News that such a move would only be seriously considered if increased presence of American troops in the area did not achieve Trump’s goal to ‘take back’ the canal.
President Donald Trump (pictured yesterday) has ordered the US military to draw up plans to seize the Panama Canal in his bid to ‘reclaim’ the waterway, military insiders have claimed
The US Southern Command has developed an array of potential plans to ensure the America has full access to the Panama Canal (pictured yesterday). Draft strategies reportedly range from partnering closely with Panamanian security forces to using American troops to forcibly seize the waterway
The Panama Canal, which is located at the narrowest part of the isthmus between North and South America and is considered one of the world’s most strategically important waterways.
Trump has said repeatedly he wants to ‘take back’ the waterway, but has not offered specifics about how he would do so, or if military action might be required.
One US said a document, described as an interim national security guidance by the new administration, called on the military to look at military options to safeguard access to the canal.
A second official said the US military had a wide array of potential options to safeguard access, including ensuring a close partnership with Panama’s military.
The Pentagon last published a National Defense Strategy in 2022, a document which lays out the priorities for the military.
An interim document sets out broad policy guidance, much like Trump’s executive orders and public remarks have done, ahead of a more considered policy document like a formal NDS.
‘We have no announcements regarding force posture changes in Panama. The Department is fully prepared to support the President’s national security priorities including those surrounding the Panama Canal,’ Pentagon Press Secretary John Ullyot told MailOnline in a statement.
‘To support the President’s regional security initiatives, we are working with Panama on several exercises and events throughout the year. These exercises will involve troop movements in the region and will strengthen our excellent military relationship with Panama. The United States and Panama share a strong security partnership built on mutual respect and trust.’
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Officials allege Adm. Alvin Holsey, (right) commander of US Southern Command, presented the proposals to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this week. Holsey is pictured with Panama Canal administrator Ricaurte Vasquez (left) during a tour of the canal’s facilities at the Miraflores Locks near Panama City, on February 20, 2025
The US and Panama are treaty-bound to defend the canal against any threat to its neutrality and are permitted to take unilateral action to do so.
America acquired the rights to build and operate the canal in the early 20th century.
In a treaty signed in 1979, during President Jimmy Carter’s Administration, the US agreed to turn over control of the canal to Panama at the close of 1999.
Trump on Thursday also seemingly hinted at sending American troops to Greenland to take control of the island.
The president reiterated that the US ‘needs’ Greenland for national security purposes and indicated he’s willing to send in American forces.
‘I think it’ll happen,’ Trump said of annexing the island during his Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
‘We really needed for national security. I think that is why NATO might have to get involved anyway,’ he added.
Trump then noted the US already has a military base on Greenland.
‘We have a couple of bases on Greenland already and we have quite a few soldiers. May be you will see more and more soldiers go there,’ he threatened. ‘We have bases and we have quite a few soldiers on Greenland.’
Hegseth, who was sitting on a couch in the Oval Office during the conversation, nodded in agreement. The US has Pituffik Space Base, which supports missile warning and space surveillance operation, on the island.
President Donald Trump wit NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office yesterday
Trump added he’d talk to Rutte about it, but the NATO secretary declined to get involved.
‘When it comes to Greenland, yes or no joining the US, I would leave that outside, for me, this discussion, because I don’t want to direct NATO in that,’ Rutte said.
It’s not the first time Trump mulled using military force to take control of territory he wants to add to the American map.
In early January, after he was elected but before inauguration, Trump indicated he was willing to use force on both Greenland and Panama, where he wants control of the canal.
Greenlanders, however, voted to rebuff Trump’s effort to bring their island into the United States.
