US Boosts Special Operations Forces in Panama as Trump Strengthens Canal Control

The United States is enhancing its military and diplomatic engagement in Panama, indicating a notable strategic shift during President Donald Trump’s administration. A statement from the U.S. Department of Defense on April 4, 2025, revealed that recent security collaborations between U.S. and Panamanian forces led to the inaugural official talks between U.S. and Panama Special Operations Forces (SOF) on February 18, 2025. This strategic interaction, occurring alongside ongoing U.S. military exercises in the region, highlights Washington’s renewed effort to reassert its influence over the Panama Canal—a crucial channel for global trade that President Trump claims America is “reclaiming.”

A U.S. Army Special Forces operator from the 7th Special Forces Group is seen training personnel from the Panamanian National Aeronaval Service in demolition techniques during a joint exercise in Cerro Tigre, Panama, on February 19, 2025. (Image source: U.S. DoD)

The renewed emphasis on Panama’s strategic significance is further emphasized by an upcoming visit from U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, set for next week. Announced on April 4, 2025, this visit marks Hegseth as the second senior U.S. official to travel to Panama within two months, reinforcing the country’s increasing importance in U.S. defense and foreign policy.

Currently, the U.S. maintains a relatively small military presence in Panama, but plans are underway to expand its operations, aligning with the President’s goal of re-establishing American oversight of the canal. Although the canal was officially handed over to Panama in 1999, it continues to be a vital route for international trade and a key element of U.S. national security interests from both economic and operational perspectives.

The expansion is in line with President Trump’s overarching defense strategy, which prioritizes strength, deterrence, and safeguarding critical infrastructure. In a recent announcement, Trump stated that the United States is “reclaiming” the Panama Canal, underscoring its significance as a vital chokepoint for maritime traffic and a key route for both the U.S. Navy and commercial shipping.

This announcement has coincided with a surge in military collaboration between the U.S. and Panama, highlighted by the inaugural official talks on Special Operations Forces (SOF) that took place on February 18, 2025. These discussions, held in Panama City, featured high-ranking defense officials from both countries, including Rear Adm. Mark A. Schafer, Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command South (Socsouth), and Frank Abrego, Panama’s Minister of Public Security.

Schafer emphasized the importance of this enduring partnership for regional stability, noting the shared commitment to a secure future and praising Panama’s Special Operations community for their professionalism in addressing regional threats. The meeting resulted in a memorandum of agreement that formalizes long-term collaborative training efforts, particularly aimed at combating transnational organized crime, drug trafficking, and enhancing disaster response capabilities.

Since 2020, Socsouth has maintained a steady presence in Panama, fostering ongoing cooperation and training programs. U.S. forces have been instrumental in enhancing the capabilities of Panama’s National Border Service, especially in counter-narcotics operations, a collaboration that has been ongoing since 2008.

“From small team collaborations to extensive exercises such as Panamax-Alpha, our partnership with Panama illustrates the fundamental objective of SOF: enhancing partner capabilities and empowering regional allies to take charge of their own border security,” stated Army Maj. Trevor Wild, Public Affairs Officer for Socsouth.

Panama’s strategic location positions it as a key ally for U.S. initiatives focused on preserving freedom of navigation and ensuring regional stability. The Panama Canal, which facilitates approximately 5% of global maritime trade, is crucial not only for economic purposes but also for the operational flexibility of U.S. naval forces between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

The recent military training exercises conducted between U.S. and Panamanian troops, which coincided with the SOF discussions, encompassed advanced marksmanship, small unit combat strategies, demolition techniques, secure communication methods, and battlefield medical training. These intensive exercises highlight the growing sophistication and interoperability of the U.S.-Panama security partnership.

“The SOF forward deployment strategy is intended to ensure our forces are integrated with partners like Panama, prepared to address threats swiftly and effectively,” Wild remarked. “The ongoing presence of U.S. SOF personnel in Panama underscores the strength and trust inherent in this partnership.”

To further strengthen this alliance, Panama hosted Fuerzas Comando 2024 last May—a premier event sponsored by Southcom that featured military skill competitions and a senior leadership seminar. This event attracted over 450 participants from allied and partner nations, solidifying Panama’s role as a regional security center.

With around 6,000 U.S. Special Operations Forces deployed in 80 countries, the partnership between the U.S. and Panama exemplifies a model of sustained strategic collaboration. The Trump administration’s initiative to “reclaim” the canal is taking shape through ongoing military cooperation, high-level diplomatic engagements, and policy statements that position Panama not just as a partner, but as a crucial element in the United States’ global security framework.

As U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth prepares for his visit to Panama next week, the momentum for this partnership continues to grow. The trip is anticipated to further enhance discussions on security collaboration, defense modernization, and increased U.S. military presence—all aimed at ensuring the Panama Canal’s security and maintaining American influence in a competitive global landscape.

This developing strategy highlights Washington’s acknowledgment of Panama’s lasting strategic importance and signals a broader shift towards more assertive American leadership in the Western Hemisphere. As President Trump stated, “The Panama Canal is a symbol of American power and ingenuity—and we are bringing it back under our protection.”