The Latest Breaking News from Jose Raul Mulino

US troops will be able to deploy to a string of bases along the Panama Canal under a joint deal seen by AFP Thursday, a major concession to President Donald Trump as he seeks to reestablish influence over the vital waterway.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested the possibility of reestablishing a U.S. military presence in the country to help secure the Panama Canal, a proposal that was swiftly rejected by Panamanian officials.

Panama on Thursday rejected the United States' claim of securing free passage for its government vessels through the Panama Canal, while bowing to US pressure to quit a key Chinese project.

President Mulino of Panama challenges US claim of waived fees for canal transit, highlighting discrepancies in statements.

The United States said Wednesday that its government vessels would sail for free through the Panama Canal following heavy pressure from President Donald Trump, but authorities at the waterway swiftly issued a denial.

The United States said Wednesday that its government vessels would be allowed to sail for free through the Panama Canal, following heavy pressure from President Donald Trump.

The canal authority said it will "optimize transit priority" of such ships through the waterway.

The Panamanian government had signed the agreement in 2017. Rubio had told President Mulino to reduce Chinese influence around the canal or face consequences

On his first trip overseas as the top US diplomat, Rubio took a guided tour of the canal accompanied by its Panamanian administrator as a South Korean-affiliated oil tanker and Marshall Islands-flagged cargo ship passed through the vital link between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.