Panama, a new security pact for channel such as US Chinese tension

The United States and Panama are officially signed by the Panama Channel, a new defense and security pact Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Claims It is important to oppose China’s growing grip in the region.

On Tuesday, Panama Channel Organization Panama confirmed that the Minister of Canaman issues and the Minister of Directors signed a joint declaration, which combines Panamanian sovereignty and reflecting new military cooperation.

The deal “Agree” the recognition and recognition of Panamanian sovereignty on International Waterway. ”

It also protects the commitment of neutrality and channel operations, including the Constitution of Panama, and the organic law of the Channel, including the organic law of the channel.

Hegseth, Panama said that we allowed us to travel ‘first and free’ through the channel of warships

However, the declaration goes beyond the words. Prepares us for the expense exchange model to pay for services provided to us and provide services provided to us for the purpose of maintaining “neutral”.

“Sounds (in terms), a mechanism that will allow to compensate for the services provided to spending vessels and auxiliary ships will be prepared,” he said. “This mechanism will be assessed jointly with the Panama Ministry of Security.”

According to Hegseth, a broader framework will also guarantee the “first and free” passage through the Panama channel.

Hegseth is already signing a memorandum of understanding, US and Panhamanian officials have already signed a memorandum of understanding and have a priorl-free priority for American naval ships.

Meanwhile, the canal body stressed the beginning of this agreement. “The declaration is the first step in the establishment of this model to be developed in later stages.”

The United States is back in Panama ‘China’s influence’ channel ” says hegseth

While establishing the US military coordination, the Panama Channel body has confirmed that the “Engineering, Security, Security and Cybersalure” for both governments for withdrawal against foreign interventions.

The movement comes as the US USNS convenience is preparing to place a marine hospital ship, to the region in the creature and partnership show.

At the beginning of this week, Hegseth visited the US soldiers, met with Panamanian officials and toured the channel. He has a sharp warning that The reach of China The Western hemisphere is already very large and still grows.

“Do not make a mistake, Beijing invests and operates in this region for military advantage and unfair economic gain in this region,” he said. “They operate on military facilities and surface stations.

Hegseth stressed that there is no purpose of war. “Together, we must prevent the war by strong and boldness of China in this hemisphere,” he said.

He also said that the United States has taken steps against the Chinese-renowned infrastructure in Panama.

“Chinese-based companies continue to handle the critical infrastructure in the canal area,” he said. “This is the potential to conduct control work throughout Panama. This is the Panama and the United States is less reliable, less prosperous and less sovereign. And President Donald Trump He pointed out that the situation is not acceptable. “

Hegseth was sharp: “The United States will not allow China to threaten the channel’s operation.” He added that “For this purpose, the United States and Panama have done more to strengthen our defense and security cooperation than our decades in recent weeks.”

Despite the growing military and political coordination, the President of the Panhama José Raúl Mulino clearly rejected China’s channel.

“I’m completely rejecting this statement,” Mulino said before the allegations before US State Department An agreement has already been reached for the provision of free transitions for US warships. The canal body, this is the “absence of adjustments”, has a fee.

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Hegseth did not respond immediately to the demand for Fox News digital comment.

Fox News’ Morgan Philips contributed to this report.