Pentagon chief says US could 'revive' Panama bases

Pete Hegseth suggests military could return to Central American country to ‘secure’ strategically important canal

The US defence secretary has floated the idea of the country’s troops returning to Panama to “secure” its strategically vital canal, a suggestion quickly shot down by the Central American country’s government.

Pete Hegseth suggested during a visit to Panama that “by invitation” the US could “revive” military bases or naval air stations and rotate deployments of its troops to an isthmus the US invaded 35 years ago.