Pentagon chief: We respect Panama Canal sovereignty

PANAMA CITY — Panama said on Wednesday the United States recognized its sovereignty over the Panama Canal, despite tough rhetoric from Washington, as the two countries announced agreements to deepen US military training in the Central American country.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also gave a public nod to Panamanian sovereignty at the conclusion of the first visit by a Pentagon chief to Panama in decades. Hegseth said he sees the canal as key terrain that Panama would secure together with the US.

During Hegseth's visit, the US and Panama issued joint statements about deepening security cooperation. However, the statement's English-language version did not include a sentence that was in the Spanish version published by Panama — speaking about Panama's sovereignty over the canal.