Panamanian opposition politicians have accused the US of launching a “camouflaged invasion” of the country, amid simmering discontent over the government’s handling of the diplomatic crisis.
After a three-day visit by the US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump appeared to confirm that US military personnel had been deployed to the Central American country on Thursday, telling reporters: “We’ve moved a lot of troops to Panama.”
Hegseth said that the US would increase its military presence at three former US bases in the country to “secure the Panama canal from Chinese influence”.
“This is a camouflaged invasion,” said Ricardo Lombana, the leader of the opposition Other Way Movement. “An invasion without firing a shot, but with a cudgel and threats.”
Every country on Earth should be expelling all US bases on their soil. They’ve proven they’ll throw everyone and everything under the bus at the slightest convenience to themselves.
You don’t negotiate with terrorists, and you don’t trust conmen.
Most of the world is still more afraid of China and Russia