End of preview - This article contains approximately 1409 words.
Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article
Not a Subscriber?
Choose from one of the following options
Back
Security & Strategic Review - May 2025
PANAMA: Security agreements with US prove contentious
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth paid a visit to Panama in early April where he met President José Raúl Mulino, Security Minister Frank Ábrego, and the administrator of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), Ricaurte Vásquez. The visit drew considerable attention, coming amid tensions stemming from US President Donald Trump’s recent threat to reclaim the Panama Canal due to claims of Chinese interference [SSR-25-02] and high tolls. Since Hegseth’s visit, the details of a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on security have drawn particular controversy amid fears it will lead to an expanded US military presence in Panama, while a Panamanian citizens’ group has filed a case before the supreme court seeking to declare it unconstitutional. The agreements over the Canal have also proven contentious.
- Ecuador’s Noboa re-elected as cracks show in his security plan
- COLOMBIA: ELN splinter group demobilises in first win for ‘total peace’ plan
- BOLIVIA: Fresh allegations about 2024 uprising
- BRAZIL: Tighter rules for police in Rio favelas
- PARAGUAY-BRAZIL: Spying scandal impacts bilateral Itaipú talks
- CHILE: Botched museum project topples veteran senator
- MEXICO: States crack down on narcocorridos
- MEXICO: Drought drives tensions with Trump
- MEXICO: Bullfighting bans come into force
- PANAMA: Security agreements with US prove contentious
- EL SALVADOR: Behind the deportations to Cecot
- NICARAGUA: Changes to military code approved
- HAITI: From very bad to even worse