The White House has instructed the U.S. military to explore options for increasing its presence in Panama.

According to NBC, which cited two anonymous U.S. officials, the U.S. Southern Command is assessing potential scenarios, ranging from expanding cooperation with the Panamanian military to the less likely option of seizing  control of the Panama Canal by force.

During his recent address to Congress, Donald Trump stated: “To further strengthen national security, my administration will take back the Panama Canal.”

However, the administration did not specify what exactly is meant by “regaining” control.

According to officials, the main goal of the Trump administration is to increase the U.S. military presence in Panama to curb China’s growing influence, including its access to the strategically important canal.

Both Panama and China deny any foreign interference in the Panama Canal, which remains  neutral under Panama’s constitution.

Chinese officials have accused the United States of using “coercion”, alleging that Washington is pressuring Panamanian officials to block Chinese infrastructure projects.

Officials emphasize that a U.S. military invasion of Panama is unlikely and will be considered only if diplomatic measures and the expansion of the U.S. military presence do not yield the expected result.

Currently, more than 200 U.S. military personnel are stationed in Panama, including special forces, but their number fluctuates due to rotation.

Potential strategies of the Trump administration also include forceful enforcement of ship passage and port protection.

Recently, it was reported that U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth threatened military action if the Mexican government does not start fighting drug cartels.

This statement somewhat deteriorated relations between the governments and created some tension due to the threat from the United States to Mexico’s territorial integrity.

Hegseth said that if the necessary measures are not taken, the U.S. Armed Forces will unilaterally start acting on their own.