President Donald Trump has reportedly ordered the U.S. military to come up with a variety of options for retaking the Panama Canal as he seeks to push communist China from operating around the canal.
NBC News reported that United States Southern Command is spearheading the effort, which includes everything from partnering with Panamanian security forces to the United States military retaking the canal by force.
Officials said that whether the United States military is used depends solely on whether Panama complies with U.S. demands.
Adm. Alvin Holsey, commander of United States Southern Command, “presented draft strategies to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this week,” the report said.
Officials said that the United States taking over Panama was not out of the question, but would likely only happen if an increased U.S. military presence in Panama did not achieve Trump’s goal of…
