Hegseth calls for the need to expel China from the Panama Canal

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said during his visit to Panama that the Trump Administration will work to prevent China from extending its influence on the Panama Canal and "endangering" all commercial operations and the integrity of the waterway.

"Today the Panama Canal faces new threats, the United States will not allow communist China or any other country to jeopardize the operation or integrity of the canal," Hegseth said after meeting with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino.

"I want to be very clear. China did not build this canal, does not operate this canal. And China will not put this canal together. Together with Panama in the lead, we will keep the canal safe," the defense secretary added, in statements picked up by AFP.

In addition, Hegseth pointed out that "Chinese companies continue to have control over critical infrastructure in the canal zone," something that makes "the United States and Panama less secure."

This last statement by the head of Defense was evidenced a few days ago when the communist regime blocked the sale of two key ports located in the Panama Canal to a group led by BlackRock.

Since returning to the White House, Trump has insisted on the need to regain control of transit and management of the Panama Canal to prevent China from monopolizing one of the most important trade lanes on the planet.