President Donald Trump has directed the military to devise options for expanding U.S. troop presence in Panama to achieve his goal of “reclaiming” the Panama Canal.
Potential plans range from “partnering more closely with Panamanian security forces to a less likely option of U.S. troops’ seizing the canal by force,” two U.S. officials told NBC News on Thursday.
Sources said while military coercion is highly unlikely, it could become an option if Panama doesn’t cooperate with the United States.
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Trump previously said reclaiming the 50-mile waterway is crucial to national security amid concerns of growing Chinese influence in the region.
The president has also accused Panama of charging excessively high fees to use the channel.
The Panama Canal, which connects the Atlantic Ocean to the
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