4-8-25 🇺🇸🪖 DoD Sec Hegseth
[CCP] China did not build this canal,
China does not operate this canal,
& China will not weaponize this canal.
Together we will TAKE BACK THE PANAMA CANAL
FROM CHINA’S INFLUENCE
& we will do this along with other capable,
likeminded allies & partners.

4-9-25 Hegseth, regional security conference
after meeting Panama President José Raúl Mulino

“China’s military has too large of a presence in the W hemisphere.
Beijing is investing & operating in this region
for military advantage & unfair economic gain.
The Security of the hemisphere we share
is a top priority for President Trump & the DoD.
The Security threats we face are real & they are present.
Together we are making progress in stopping
mass illegal migration from around the world,
& violent cartels & criminal enterprises
that are threatening our people & brutalizing our communities.
THE ERA OF CAPITULATING TO COERCION
BY THE COMMUNIST CHINESE—IS OVER.” 💪💥