Key Takeaways
- The U.S. Marines will participate in a training program in Panama from tomorrow until February 26
- The training program is part of a memorandum of understanding signed between Panama and Washington in April 2025
- The memorandum allows for the presence of foreign troops and the establishment of military bases in Panama
- Some groups, such as the National Front for the Defense of Economic and Social Rights (Frenadeso), consider the memorandum to be detrimental to national sovereignty
- The group is demanding the immediate cessation of the training exercises and the genuine defense of independence
Introduction to the Training Program
According to a report from a government institution, some 50 U.S. Marines will participate in a training program from tomorrow until February 26 at the Jungle Warfare School in the Caribbean province of Colon and at the Captain Noel Rodriguez Naval Base in the capital. This training program is part of a larger effort to strengthen military cooperation between the United States and Panama. However, not everyone is pleased with this development. For groups such as the National Front for the Defense of Economic and Social Rights (Frenadeso), these types of maneuvers are a cause for concern, as they believe that they undermine national sovereignty.
Concerns Over National Sovereignty
Frenadeso and other similar groups consider the training program to be a threat to Panama’s independence and sovereignty. They point to a memorandum of understanding signed last April between Panama and Washington, which they believe allows for the presence of foreign troops and the establishment of military bases in the country. In a statement issued by Frenadeso, signed by its coordinator Jorge Guzman, it is asserted that this type of training is not "cooperation," but rather interference and aggression against national sovereignty. The group believes that the memorandum is an act of surrender, intended to normalize the foreign military presence and transform Panama into a platform for geopolitical operations against other countries in the region.
The Memorandum of Understanding
The memorandum signed in 2025 is at the center of the controversy surrounding the training program. According to Frenadeso, the agreement is a threat to Panama’s sovereignty and independence. The group believes that the memorandum allows the United States to use Panama as a base for military operations against other countries in the region, such as Venezuela. The statement issued by Frenadeso demands the immediate cessation of the training exercises and the genuine defense of independence. The group is calling on the government to prioritize the country’s sovereignty and independence, rather than allowing foreign powers to dictate its military and foreign policy.
Increased U.S. Military Presence
The training program is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a larger trend of increased U.S. military presence in Panama. Since December 2025, there has been a significant increase in U.S. military activity in the country, under the pretext of fighting drug trafficking. However, Frenadeso and other groups believe that this is just a cover for a more sinister agenda. They point to threats made by President Donald Trump to retake control of the interoceanic waterway, including the use of force, due to an alleged "malign influence" from China on the route. The group believes that the U.S. is using the pretext of security and drug trafficking to justify its increased military presence in the region and to exert its influence over Panama and other countries in the region.
Conclusion and Call to Action
In conclusion, the training program for U.S. Marines in Panama has sparked controversy and concern among groups such as Frenadeso. The group believes that the memorandum of understanding signed between Panama and Washington is a threat to national sovereignty and independence, and that the training program is part of a larger effort to exert U.S. influence over the region. The statement issued by Frenadeso demands the immediate cessation of the training exercises and the genuine defense of independence. The group is calling on the government to prioritize the country’s sovereignty and independence, rather than allowing foreign powers to dictate its military and foreign policy. As the training program gets underway, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and what the implications will be for Panama and the region as a whole.