PANAMA CITY, Feb 4 (Reuters) - Panamanian Security Minister Frank Abrego announced on Tuesday that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to visit Panama in April. The purpose of the visit is for the two officials to collaborate on strategies aimed at combating irregular migration and drug trafficking.
Abrego confirmed their phone conversation in a post on X, expressing his optimism about achieving "important agreements" during Hegseth's upcoming visit.
The Pentagon has not yet provided a response to the request for comment.
President Donald Trump has previously threatened to seize control of the Panama Canal, which was constructed by the U.S. in the early 20th century and transferred to Panama in 1999. Trump alleged that Beijing was overseeing the canal's operations.
Following discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino stated that his country will not extend its comprehensive agreement involving Chinese President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative. Mulino mentioned that Panama's agreement with China is due to expire in the next two to three years, without specifying further details.
The U.S. government contends that Beijing utilizes its Belt and Road Initiative as a means of implementing "debt trap diplomacy" to solidify its global influence.