Pentagon chief says U.S. could 'revive' Panama bases

U.S. Defence Secretary suggests reviving military bases in Panama to secure the canal, but Panama rejects the idea.

U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth floated the idea on Wednesday of U.S. troops returning to Panama to "secure" its strategically vital canal, a suggestion quickly shot down by the Central American country's government.

Mr. Hegseth suggested during a visit to Panama that "by invitation" the United States could "revive" military bases or naval air stations and rotate deployments of U.S. troops to an isthmus the United States invaded 35 years ago.

He also said his country was seeking free passage through the canal for its Navy ships — which U.S. President Donald Trump had said were "severely overcharged and not treated fairly in any way, shape or form."

Mr. Trump, since coming to power in January, has repeatedly claimed that China has too much influence over the canal, which handles about 40% of U.S. container traffic and five percent of world trade.

His administration has vowed to "take back" control of the strategic waterway that the United States funded, built and controlled until 1999.

Mr. Hegseth suggested on Wednesday the slew of former U.S/ military bases that dot Panama could be used again to host U.S. troops.

He said a deal signed with Panama this week was an "opportunity to revive, whether it's the military base, naval air station, locations where U.S. troops can work with Panamanian troops to enhance capabilities and cooperate in a rotational way."