Social organizations today rejected the visit to Panama by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, his second since April 2025.

Groups such as the National Front for the Defense of Economic and Social Rights (Frenadeso) have stated in public communiqués that last year the senior official signed a security memorandum in the country that undermines national sovereignty, as it favors the establishment of military bases and a growing troop presence on the isthmus.

Since then, amid the controversy stirred up by President Donald Trump over administration of the Panama Canal — under alleged Chinese influence, a claim denied by authorities in both countries — several multinational exercises have taken place, including the current Panamax 2026.

According to the schedule, Hegseth will meet with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, take part in the forum of the Alliance of the Americas Against Cartels (A3C), and observe joint military maneuvers.

A3C is regarded as the main operational tool of the so-called Shield of the Americas, a framework led and established by Washington this year, which has been joined by 17 Latin American and Caribbean countries, in addition to the United States, to advance cooperation on border security and the fight against drug cartels.

While in Panama, Hegseth is also expected to meet with senior Colombian officials at a time marked by the rise to power of President Abelardo de la Espriella, who has pledged to intensify the offensive against drug trafficking and deepen cooperation with the White House.

The defense secretary will also meet with U.S. military personnel responsible for the Jungle Operations Course, a joint exercise with Panamanian forces held several times a year at the Colón Naval Air Base in the country's Caribbean territory.

For Frenadeso, Mulino's "submissive" government is putting the country at risk by serving as a platform for this type of training, which the organization claims could be preparatory for attacks on neighboring nations in the region.