US highlights Panama security ties as China-linked canal ports deal stalls
US envoy’s coastguard visit near Panama comes as Beijing presses for Cosco control and Washington pushes back
The United States on Thursday underscored its maritime security partnership with Panama, as a high-stakes dispute involving China, US investors and a Hong Kong conglomerate continues to cloud the future ownership of key ports at the Panama Canal.
US Ambassador Kevin Cabrera boarded the US Coast Guard cutter Alert during a port visit in Panama City, praising joint operations ranging from counter-narcotics missions to search-and-rescue efforts carried out with Panama’s Ministry of Public Security.
In a post on social media, Cabrera said the cooperation reflects Washington’s commitment, under US President Donald Trump’s leadership, to working with regional partners to promote security and prosperity across the hemisphere.
The visit comes as negotiations over the sale of two strategically important Panama Canal ports have reached an impasse, highlighting growing geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing over control of critical infrastructure.