U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, during a visit to Panama, vowed to "take back" the Panama Canal from what he called China's growing influence. Speaking alongside Panamanian officials, he promised stronger U.S.-Panama security ties.China has been accused of using commercial ties for espionage. Hegseth emphasized the canal must remain open and secure for all nations.
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NewsTranscript
00:00Thank you very much, Minister Obrigo, for being here today and for a very warm welcome.
00:23Admiral Halsey, Commander of Southcom, thank you for your great work, your partnership.
00:28Phenomenal job, you and all the troops down here and throughout the hemisphere.
00:33And Father, thank you for the blessing of this pier.
00:38What a reminder that Almighty God is truly the commander of all affairs, including today and all the important work we're undertaking.
00:50It is great to be here at Vasco Nunez de Balboa Naval Base.
00:56Our shared routes here run deep.
01:00Once known as Rodman Naval Station, this place has long played a vital role in protecting the canal.
01:06The security of the Panama Canal remains a key national interest of both the United States and Panama.
01:12In 1914, after the first ship sailed through the canal, the U.S. Secretary of War wrote,
01:21The dream of the centuries has become a reality.
01:25This dream, once realized, drove prosperity in our hemisphere.
01:29And to preserve this dream for centuries to come, we must never lose sight of the canal's security.
01:35And today, the Panama Canal faces ongoing threats.
01:40The United States of America will not allow communist China or any other country to threaten the canal's operation or integrity.
01:49To this end, the United States and Panama have done more in recent weeks to strengthen our defense and security cooperation than we have in decades.
02:00That includes our meeting today and announcements to come.
02:04As we speak, U.S.-based military units are involved in joint exercises, planning, and other forms of cooperation with our Panamanian partners on both the Atlantic and Pacific sides of the canal.
02:19And together, we will take bold first steps to revive our defense and security ties between our countries.
02:29Right now, a U.S. Coast Guard cutter will transit the canal coming up this week to conduct counter-narcotic operations in the eastern Pacific.
02:40U.S. Coast Guard cutter Kimball is moored in Panama City to conduct a subject matter expert exchange
02:47with personnel from the National Aero Naval Service of Panama, or SINAN.
02:53The USS Chosen, where I'll be tomorrow, is a guided missile cruiser.
02:57It's also docked in Panama City for a port visit as part of CENT-SEC-25, the ongoing conference.
03:05And USS Normandy, another guided missile cruiser, is patrolling off Panama's Caribbean coast.
03:11While there, they are training an embarked team of officers and NCOs from SINAN, Panamanians, again, our partners.
03:22Several aircraft from the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy are visiting Panama to enhance our air and maritime security cooperation.
03:30We have stood up the Joint Security Cooperation Group, Panama, here in Panama City, to coordinate U.S. military activities with our Panamanian partners.
03:41We will also continue to deepen cooperation in the long run.
03:47This includes increased training, exercises, and information sharing between U.S. and Panama security forces.
03:56And in 2026, Panama will host the multilateral Panamax exercise.
04:04This training will focus on ensuring the free flow of commerce through the Panama Canal.
04:11And finally, this pier, Pier 3, tangibly represents America and Panama's shared commitment to the canal's security.
04:20Thanks to over $5 million in support from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, we have refurbished this pier behind us.
04:30These needed infrastructure improvements revitalize this historic facility and strengthen maritime security both in the canal and into the Pacific Ocean.
04:40Our relationship with Panama, especially our security relationship, will continue to grow in the months and years ahead.
04:50Our relationship is growing in part to meet Communist China's rising challenge.
04:57China-based companies continue to control critical infrastructure in the canal area.
05:04That gives China the potential to conduct surveillance activities across Panama.
05:11This makes Panama and the United States less secure, less prosperous, and less sovereign.
05:18And as President Donald Trump has pointed out, that situation is not acceptable.
05:24We are grateful to President Molino, Minister Obrego, and your teams, along with the Panama Canal Authority, for responding to these threats and safeguarding the canal.
05:38President Molino's decision to withdraw from the Belt and Road Initiative reflects his government's clear understanding of China and the threat it imposes.
05:48I want to be very clear, China did not build this canal, China does not operate this canal, and China will not weaponize this canal.
06:02Together with Panama in the lead, we will keep the canal secure and available for all nations through the deterrent power of the strongest, most effective, and most lethal fighting force in the world.
06:17We will do this in partnership with Panama.
06:22Together, we will take back the Panama Canal from China's influence.
06:27And we will do this along with other capable, like-minded allies and partners.
06:33This is what peace through strength looks like.
06:35You see, the first time a sitting American president set foot outside of the United States, the first time, was to see the construction of the Panama Canal.
06:49President Teddy Roosevelt spent three days here in November of 1906.
06:53He was here both to inspect the project and to emphasize how important it was to our security and our prosperity.
07:03After his visit, Roosevelt described the canal as one of the great and giant feats of the ages.
07:11Nearly 120 years later, this canal remains a wonder of the world.
07:16And like President Roosevelt, President Trump today recognizes the canal's rightful place as the center of our shared hemisphere.
07:27It connects two continents and two oceans, transporting over $250 billion in goods per year and 40% of U.S. shipping.
07:38Seventy percent of the ships that pass through this canal are going to or from U.S. ports.
07:49It saves nearly 8,000 miles for shipping traveling between our coasts.
07:55Almost 100 U.S. military vessels each year transit the canal.
08:01This miraculous canal shows what our two nations can achieve together.
08:06We worked together to build this canal.
08:11Workers from both our countries gave their lives during its construction.
08:16We are proud of our shared history and excited for our shared future.
08:22Returning Pier 3 to service today shows how we will continue to work together to secure and preserve that legacy.
08:30God bless.
08:32Thank you very much.
08:35And good time.
08:35Agradecemos sus importantes palabras.
08:44Acto seguido, revelación de placa conmemorativa de la renovación del Muelle 3, símbolo de este importante logro para nuestra infraestructura marítima.
08:55A cargo del Ministro de Seguridad Pública y el Secretario de Defensa de los Estados Unidos.
09:00Este acto simbólico representa el compromiso y el esfuerzo conjunto en pro de la seguridad y operatividad de nuestras instalaciones.
09:26En estos momentos hacen la develación.
09:30Por favor, brindemos un fuerte aplauso.
09:43Con el debido respeto, invitamos a proceder al corte de la información.
09:47Subscribe to One India Channel and never miss an update.