The U.S. military, in cooperation with Panamanian police forces, has launched a new series of joint training exercises centered on safeguarding the Panama Canal, a vital artery for global commerce. These maneuvers come amid rising geopolitical tensions, particularly concerns over growing Chinese influence in the region surrounding this strategic trade route.
The latest round of drills began on Sunday, with the arrival of three U.S. Army helicopters at Panama-Pacific Airport, a facility that previously served as the U.S. Howard Air Force Base. The aircraft included two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and a CH-47 Chinook, all of which will be used in the upcoming operations. These exercises follow a similar deployment conducted by U.S. forces in Panama just a month earlier.
The joint training is made possible under an existing bilateral agreement, which allows U.S. forces to conduct operations using Panamanian air and naval installations for training purposes. Importantly, this arrangement does not permit the establishment of permanent U.S. military bases, preserving Panama’s sovereignty while still supporting regional security cooperation.
