In a show of strategic coordination, the United States military has partnered with Panama’s national police to conduct a new round of defensive military drills focused on the Panama Canal, amid growing unease about alleged Chinese encroachment along the key maritime trade corridor.
The joint exercises began with the landing of three U.S. Army helicopters—two UH-60 Black Hawks and one CH-47 Chinook—at the Panama-Pacific Airport, which formerly operated as the U.S. Howard Air Force Base. These aircraft will be utilized in a series of training activities designed to enhance joint operational readiness and critical infrastructure defense.
This is not the first time U.S. forces have carried out such missions in Panama. A similar training session was held just weeks ago, made possible by a long-standing bilateral defense agreement. This pact permits the temporary use of Panamanian military facilities by U.S. personnel for exercises and support activities, without authorizing any permanent American military presence on Panamanian soil.
The drills underscore Washington’s continued commitment to protecting global trade routes and maintaining influence in Central America through collaborative security efforts.
