U.S. and Panama Sign Security Memorandum
The United States and Panama announced a security partnership on Wednesday aimed at protecting Panama from China’s growing influence.
After a three-day security conference in Panama City, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Panamanian Public Security Minister Frank Abrego announced at a joint press conference that a memorandum of understanding was signed between the two countries cementing security cooperation.
This will pave the way for an additional agreement on the security and operation of the Panama Canal.
China: According to Hegseth, this is about countering China’s effort to take over the sea gate:
The era of capitulating to coercion by the Communist Chinese is over. Their growing and adversarial control of strategic land and critical infrastructure in this hemisphere cannot and will not stand. …
China’s military has too large of a presence in the Western Hemisphere. They operate military facilities and ground stations that extend their reach into space. They exploit national … natural resources and land to fuel China’s global military ambitions. China’s factory fishing fleets are stealing food from our nations and from our people.
Make no mistake, Beijing is investing and operating in this region for military advantage and unfair economic gain.
The Canal Authority said the agreement “reaffirms respect for, and the recognition of, Panamanian sovereignty over the interoceanic waterway.”
Military: The memorandum allows for increased joint military training between the U.S. and Panama, and it reestablishes the U.S. military’s presence at former U.S. Army bases, such as the Rodman Naval Station, Howard Air Force Base and Fort Sherman. The U.S. and Panama will also begin information sharing, cybercooperation and security dialogue.
Hegseth said the memorandum provides “framework” for an additional agreement that would allow American war and auxiliary ships to travel “first and free” through the canal.
Prophecy: In the March Trumpet issue, Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry explained that the U.S., one of the modern descendants of ancient Israel, was prophesied in Genesis 22:17 and Deuteronomy 28:52 to possess the world’s sea gates, particularly the Panama Canal.
If the nation disobeyed God, He would take away this blessing and give it to our enemies, like China. Mr. Flurry wrote:
The fact that President Trump is speaking out so forcefully about this is truly fascinating. China really has made itself into a superpower—in some ways more powerful than the United States. But biblical prophecy indicates that China is probably going to be knocked down a bit, and it is possible that this will be a factor in that happening.
We don’t know yet how this will all work out. Challenging the United States in its own backyard could end up diminishing China’s power. It would be a real loss for China to lose control of the Panama Canal, yet that might just happen.
God might give this gate back to America. I would not be shocked to see that happen because of all the miracles that took place during Donald Trump’s political campaign.
Learn more: Read Mr. Flurry’s article “How America Won and Lost the Panama Canal.”
