Open the newsletter to watch the White House for free

Your guide to what the American elections mean 2024 for Washington and the world

US Defense Secretary Beit Higseth will travel to Panama early this week, as Washington increases pressure on the Central America due to the alleged Chinese influence on its famous channel.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to regain control of Panama channel, the 110 -year -old waterway that treats about 5 percent of global maritime trade, claiming that a privilege for two ports in both parties represented by CK Hutchison in Hong Kong has witnessed a threat to national security.

In response to the pressure of the United States, Investors group led by Blackrock I offered the purchase of the CK Hutchison Ports section, which holds the concession, in a $ 22.8 billion deal. However, the Chinese authorities review the transaction and receive doubt whether it will be completed.

Higseth is planning to attend the Central American Security Conference in Panama, and it is expected on Tuesday to meet President Jose Raul Mulino.

The Pentagon spokesman Sean Bernil said that Higseth’s trip “will lead continuous efforts to strengthen our partnerships with Panama and other Central American countries towards our common vision of calm and safe Western hemisphere.”

The American military personnel were visible in the city of Panama last week, as the two countries concluded the initial stage of the annual military exercises that focus on the security of the Panama channel. The US military said more joint exercises will be held this week.

NBC News reported last month that the White House has directed the Pentagon to develop plans to increase the presence of American forces in Panama, including the option of American soldiers to seize the waterway by force. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

Panama was suddenly becoming a priority for US foreign policy. This step comes from Washington, where Molino deals with many local challenges, including the sharp economic slowdown, the risk of the canal and the future of a large copper mine closed 18 months ago.

In February, Mulino and Hegsith agreed to “expand cooperation between the US military and the security forces in Panama” and protect the channel, according to the Pentagon reading the call.

Panama is also trying to waste Trump by taking strict measures for immigrants heading to the United States via Dari Gab, 60 miles from the dense forest between Colombia and Panama.

The first trip of Marco Rubio abroad was to Panama earlier this year. The US Secretary of State told Mulino that Trump is seen that the current position of the Chinese Communist Party on Panama “as a violation of the channel’s neutrality treaty.

Mulino and other Panaman officials said that the channel is fully controlled by the PCA and that the sovereign control in Panama was not for discussion.

Separately, the Panama Observer is conducting a criminal review of the CK HUTCISON channel, with local lawmakers claiming violations. CK Hutchison denied that Trump’s criticism played a role in his decision to sell the ports and said that the deal was “purely commercial in nature.”

On Friday, Deputy Foreign Minister Christopher Landau spoke to the Foreign Minister in Panama. The Foreign Ministry said that the husband discussed the “importance” of audit.

“The visit reflects the importance of relations with Panama to the United States,” said Orlando Perez, a professor of political science at North Texas University. He added that if the review may find violations, as many believe that it will work, “pressure for the Panama regulator to take some measures against the port’s concessions will be great.”