US, Panama agree to expand military cooperation

PHOTO CAPTION: Illustrative photo — Nicanor Air Base, Panama June 2, 2023. REUTERS/Aris Martinez

(Reuters) -     U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Panama's President Jose Raul Mulino agreed to expand cooperation between the U.S. military and Panama's security forces during a call on Wednesday, the Pentagon said, in the wake of a dispute over the Panama Canal.

"They agreed on the strong relationship and many security interests that the United States and Panama share, to include safeguarding the Panama Canal," a Pentagon spokesperson said. 

After talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier this week, Mulino said his country's broad agreement to contribute to China's Belt and Road initiative will not be renewed, and could be terminated early.

 (Reporting by Costas Pitas)