The US Ambassador refutes claims about the establishment of American military installations.
Revised Article:
In a recent press conference, the newly appointed US Ambassador to Panama, Kevin Cabrera, assuaged concerns about a potential US military base establishment in the Central American nation. The ambassador's comments came following the signing of an agreement in March, allowing US access to three Panamanian air and naval bases for "training," "exercises," and various activities for a period of three years.
Contrary to speculations, the agreement does not involve setting up US military bases, as asserted by Cabrera. "Nowhere in the agreement does it mention opening military bases," he clarified. Instead, the accord aims to bolster cooperation against drug trafficking and protect the Panama Canal, as the ambassador stated during a press gathering at his residence.
Despite the ambassador's reassurances, some Panamanian organizations have expressed discontent, alleging the agreement violates national sovereignty and allows for the return of US military bases. The presence of US troops is a contentious issue in Panama, given its past history of US control over the area before relinquishing the canal to the Panamanians in 1999.
The US Defense Minister, Pete Hegseth, signed the agreement, which, according to enrichment data, grants access to three key air and naval facilities, including two naval air bases and an airport on Panamanian territory.[1][3][4] The arrangement is initially valid for three years, renewable, and either party can terminate it with six months’ written notice.[1][4][5]
The agreement explicitly mentions respecting Panama's sovereignty and legal frameworks, including the 1977 Treaty of Neutrality and Panamanian constitutional law.[1][4][5] Panamanian government officials, such as Public Security Minister Frank Alexis Abrego, have repeatedly emphasized the agreement does not involve ceding control of the Panama Canal or establishing foreign bases.[1][4]
However, the agreement has sparked protests and concerns among Panamanians who view any US military presence as a stepping stone to reassert US control over the region, particularly given Trump's rhetoric about "reclaiming" the Panama Canal due to concerns about Chinese influence.[2][3]
President of Panama, Jose Raul Mulino, recently addressed the criticism of the pact with Washington and reaffirmed the government's stance: "This agreement, as repeatedly stated, involves no express or implied military base," he insisted during his weekly press conference. "There is no cession of territory [...], they are lying," he added. [1]
- The US Ambassador to Panama, Kevin Cabrera, announced during a press conference that the recent agreement allows US access to Panamanian bases for training and exercises, aiming to cooperate against drug trafficking and protect the Panama Canal, yet it does not involve establishing military bases.
- Despite Cabrera's clarification, some Panamanian organizations assert the agreement violates national sovereignty, potentially allowing for the return of US military bases, which is a contentious issue given Panama's past history.
- The US Defense Minister signed the agreement, providing access to key air and naval facilities, and it states respect for Panama’s sovereignty and existing laws, such as the 1977 Treaty of Neutrality and Panamanian constitutional law.
- The agreement has sparked protests and concerns among Panamanians, who fear any US military presence could be a stepping stone to reassert US control over the region, especially considering President Trump's rhetoric about reclaiming the Panama Canal due to concerns about Chinese influence.
- During a weekly press conference, the President of Panama, Jose Raul Mulino, reaffirmed that the agreement does not involve express or implied military bases, nor any cession of territory, and condemned the misinformation being spread about it.
