United States Pete Hegseth on Possible Panama Intervention – Planning for any Scenario’

During an appearance on Capitol Hill, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth admitted that the Pentagon has contingency plans that include scenarios for military action in the event of any eventuality.  During the hearing, Hegseth was directly questioned about whether there is an official Department of Defense policy that contemplates the use of force to seize control of Panama and Greenland as part of the strategy to contain China’s growing influence.  “Panama is a very important area that we have focused on and have been willing to focus on, as is Greenland,” the official responded.  Although Hegseth declined to confirm the existence of a specific plan to invade Panama or Greenland, he did acknowledge that it is the Department of Defense’s duty to be prepared for any eventuality.

“Our job at the Department of Defense is to have plans for any contingency. Whatever contingency you need, we have it. We have a building full of planners, and we are prepared to make recommendations when necessary,” he explained.  Pressed again on whether there were concrete military plans to take Panama or Greenland by force, Hegseth stated, “ I think the American people want the Pentagon to have plans for any particular contingency.”  During his appearance, Pete emphasized China’s alleged “malign influence” in Panamanian territory. His remarks come at a time when the US government has intensified its rhetoric about China’s presence in Latin America and the Arctic. 

Amid the controversy, Hegseth insisted, “Thank God we’re in the planning business.”  Hegseth’s remarks come amid a context of diplomatic tension, particularly following recent statements by Ambassador Kevin Cabrera, pictured above, regarding the Chinese presence in Panama and the Western Hemisphere, which had already generated backlash from the Panamanian government.  In a statement, the Department of Defense reported that Hegseth, accompanied by Air Force General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met with lawmakers on the Senate Appropriations Committee to discuss key points for the Department of Defense in President Donald Trump’s recommendations for discretionary funding levels for fiscal year 2026.