Panama, USA, Castle in new security pact for channel when in China over low heat

The United States and Panama have officially signed a new defense and security pact aimed at strengthening control over Panama Minister of Defense Pete Hegset claims is crucial for repulsion from growing in China in the region.

In a press release, located on Wednesday evening on X, Panama -Canal confirmed that the Minister of the Channel and Hugset signed a joint declaration confirming the Panama sovereignty and outlines new military cooperation.

The transaction “confirms respect, and the recognition of the Panama sovereignty on the inter -Polish waterways,” the channel said.

It also supports the commitment of both countries to the Neutrality and Legal Base Agreement, which manages the channel operations, including the Panama Constitution, the treaty itself and the organic law.

HEGSET SAYS

But the declaration goes beyond the words. He teaches plans for the cost distribution model covering the services provided by the US military ship and the auxiliary vessels to maintain it “neutral value”.

“Efforts (for) will develop a mechanism that will compensate for the services provided by military ships and auxiliary utensils, looking for a neutral costs,” the statement reads. “This mechanism will be evaluated jointly with the Panama Ministry.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegset appears in Panama on April 9, 2025. (Franco Brana/AFP via Getty Images)

According to Hegset, the wider basis is also working that guarantees us the first and free warships “in the Panama Channel.

HEGSET announced on Wednesday that the US and Panaman officials had already signed a memorandum of understanding, and that the final document is on the way to the official support for free priority for US naval courts.

Meanwhile, the channel’s body emphasized that this agreement is just the beginning. “The declaration is the first step in the creation of this model to be developed in the following stages.”

We have Panama’s “Return” channel influence of China, ”says Ggset

While the US is creating its military coordination, Panama Chanal confirmed that cooperation already includes “engineering, safety and cybersecurity”, the main sections for both governments, when they are repelled from foreign intervention.

This step comes in the same way when the US is preparing for the deployment of USNS Comfort, the Military Hospital Ship, In the region In the demonstration of presence and partnership.

Earlier this week, Hegset visited us troops, met with Ponaman officials and visited the channel. He sharply warned this Achievance of China The western hemisphere is already too big and still grows.

Panama President Jose Raul Mulin shakes his hand with Defense Minister Pitt Hugset during the signing of a bilateral agreement in Panama on April 9, 2025. (Franco Brana/AFP via Getty Images)

“Don’t be mistaken, Beijing is invested and works in the region for military superiority and unfair economic benefit,” Hegset said. “They work with military facilities and terrestrial stations that spread their reach of space. They use natural resources and land to nourish China’s global military ambitions. Chinese fishermen steal food from our peoples and our people.”

HEGSET emphasized that the war is not the goal. “Together we must prevent the war, strongly and vigorously holding the threats to China in this hemisphere,” he said.

He also made it clear that the United States takes measures to combat Chinese infrastructure in Panama.

“Chinese companies continue to control critical infrastructure in the channel,” said Ggegset. “It gives China the potential for observation in Panama. It makes Panama and the US less safe, less prosperous and less sovereign. And as President Donald Trump He noted that the situation is unacceptable. “

Panama President Jose Raul Moulino (C) is considering the Security Minister of Panama Frank Abrega (L) and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegset, who are preparing to sign a bilateral agreement in Panama on April 9, 2025. (Franco Brana/AFP via Getty Images)

Hegset was stupid: “The United States will not allow China to threaten the channel’s activities.” He added: “To this end, the United States and Panam have done more than recent weeks to strengthen our protection and security cooperation than in decades.”

Despite growing military and political coordination, President Panaman Jose Raul Mulin has publicly denied that China was in control of the channel.

“I am completely dismissing this statement,” Moulino said, pushing out previous claims from US State Department This transaction has already been reached a guaranteed free passage for US warships. The power of the channel added that it “did not make any adjustments” to the structure of the fee.

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HEGSET did not immediately respond to the Fox News Digital request.

Fox News’ Morgan Philips has contributed to this report.