Pete Hegseth on US-Panama Security Cooperation and 'America First' Alliances

US-Panama Security Partnership

• 🤝 Pete Hegseth expresses gratitude for the productive visit and the strong friendship with Panamanian counterparts, highlighting President Molino's administration as a great ally.
• 🎯 Cooperation is focused on three key areas: securing borders and reducing illegal migration (noting a 99% decrease in Darian Gap crossings), countering violent cartels and criminal enterprises, and securing the Panama Canal from malign Chinese influence.
• 🚢 A new memorandum of understanding and a joint declaration will enhance cooperative security activities, ensuring US warships can sail freely through the Panama Canal.
• 🛠️ The agreement includes increased joint training, exercises, operations, and interoperability, reestablishing presence at Fort Sherman, Rodman Naval Station, and Howard Air Force Base, including reviving the jungle school.
• 💻 Expanded security cooperation will also bolster cyber cooperation, information sharing, bilateral security dialogues, and canal infrastructure improvements.

'America First' and Hemispheric Security

• 🌍 Hegseth emphasizes that "America First does not mean America Alone," but rather making alliances and partnerships serve American interests and those of allies.
• 🌐 The strategy aims to put