President Trump seeks to ensure full U.S. access to the Panama Canal, directing the military to explore potential options, including military measures. Concerns over Chinese control and broken promises from Panama regarding the canal’s management have fueled this initiative. Both nations are treaty-bound to protect the canal’s neutrality, complicating any potential action.
According to two U.S. officials who spoke to Reuters, the military is to develop options to guarantee full U.S. access to the Panama Canal. President Donald Trump has expressed a desire to “take back” the canal, recognizing its strategic significance as one of the world’s most crucial waterways; however, he has not detailed how he plans to accomplish this or whether military action will be necessary.
One official, wishing to remain anonymous, revealed that an interim national security guidance document, issued by the current administration, instructs the military to explore options, including military capabilities, to protect access to the Panama Canal. This aligns with a broader framework established by the 2022 National Defense Strategy that prioritizes military direction, while this interim guide serves to inform immediate policy actions.
The Pentagon, however, did not provide immediate comments on this directive from the White House to prepare options focused on the Panama Canal. President Trump has claimed the need to regain control of the canal due to concerns about Chinese influence and potential undermining of American national interests, referencing broken promises regarding the canal’s transfer made by Panama back in 1999.
It is important to note that any forceful action by a foreign entity to seize the canal would likely violate international law. Both the U.S. and Panama are bound by treaty commitments to defend the canal’s neutrality, which allows them to act unilaterally in response to threats. The U.S. originally gained the rights to construct and manage the canal in the early 20th century, ultimately agreeing to transfer control to Panama at the end of 1999 under a treaty signed in 1979 during President Jimmy Carter’s administration.
In summary, President Trump’s administration has initiated measures to reconsider U.S. control over the Panama Canal, signaling potential military options to ensure accessibility. While concerns regarding foreign influence, particularly from China, underpin these movements, the existing treaty obligations bind both the U.S. and Panama to uphold the neutrality of the waterway. The situation prompts a careful examination of international law and diplomatic relations moving forward.
Original Source: www.kibrispostasi.com
