WEBVTT 00:08.960 --> 00:12.920 We let know the journalists that we 00:12.920 --> 00:15.920 announce to the media that only 4 00:15.920 --> 00:18.799 questions will be accepted , 2 from the 00:18.799 --> 00:20.799 American press and 2 from the local 00:20.799 --> 00:23.360 press . Journalists will be called by 00:23.360 --> 00:26.829 name and media outlet . Um , 00:27.159 --> 00:29.540 now , we pass over to his excellent 00:29.540 --> 00:32.319 Frank Abrego , Minister of Security of 00:32.319 --> 00:36.020 Panama . Good afternoon . Honorable 00:36.069 --> 00:38.830 Mr . Peter Hexet , Secretary of Defense 00:38.830 --> 00:40.719 of the United States of America , 00:41.150 --> 00:43.889 Honorable Mr . Alvin Holsley , 00:44.310 --> 00:46.310 commander of the Southern Command , 00:46.310 --> 00:48.310 representative of the government of 00:48.310 --> 00:50.659 Panama , and the embassy of the United 00:50.659 --> 00:54.450 States . Uh , media , ladies and 00:54.450 --> 00:57.770 gentlemen , today as part of 00:57.770 --> 01:00.209 the framework of the conference of 01:00.209 --> 01:02.729 Central America , we are here to 01:02.729 --> 01:06.330 highlight again that we have 01:06.330 --> 01:08.819 sat down here that will continue during 01:08.819 --> 01:10.986 the afternoon hours because we live in 01:10.986 --> 01:13.569 an era where threats are not limited 01:13.569 --> 01:16.709 only to physical territories but also 01:17.169 --> 01:20.904 we . We face transporter uh 01:20.904 --> 01:24.224 threats that adapt to any cities such 01:24.224 --> 01:27.264 as criminal entities that operate in 01:27.815 --> 01:30.735 networks , cybernetic threats that are 01:30.985 --> 01:34.224 there in silence and also security is a 01:34.224 --> 01:37.065 regional uh challenge and that's the 01:37.065 --> 01:40.660 reason why . We have , uh , gathered 01:40.660 --> 01:42.610 here , uh , from a different 01:42.610 --> 01:44.777 representative of Mexico , Guatemala , 01:44.777 --> 01:46.832 Honduras , El Salvador , Nicaragua , 01:46.832 --> 01:48.760 Honduras , Panama , Colombia , 01:48.779 --> 01:52.500 precisely to talk about the shared 01:52.500 --> 01:55.940 experiences and what uh we can learn 01:55.940 --> 01:58.459 from each other and at the end continue 01:58.459 --> 02:00.860 fighting uh with a single strategy and 02:00.860 --> 02:03.940 a single north uh towards the security 02:03.940 --> 02:06.220 of our region and to the hemisphere . 02:06.790 --> 02:09.809 Uh , the American hemisphere exactly as , 02:09.820 --> 02:12.919 uh , as the secretary has mentioned 02:12.919 --> 02:14.919 before , we're a single continent , 02:14.919 --> 02:16.752 we're just a single American and 02:17.580 --> 02:21.429 Therefore , we must be together and 02:21.429 --> 02:24.899 fight organized crime 02:26.429 --> 02:28.869 in any of the different faces that 02:28.869 --> 02:31.710 arise in our societies and our 02:31.710 --> 02:33.750 countries . Thank you . 02:36.449 --> 02:37.449 P . 02:43.740 --> 02:47.139 Again , we Uh , 02:47.220 --> 02:50.050 Honorable Hessett will share his words , 02:50.059 --> 02:52.339 Secretary of State of of defense of the 02:52.339 --> 02:54.506 US . Good afternoon . It's a privilege 02:54.506 --> 02:56.783 to be here in Panama . Minister Abrego , 02:57.059 --> 02:58.892 uh , thank you for an incredibly 02:58.892 --> 03:01.580 productive visit . Uh , the same goes 03:01.580 --> 03:03.580 for our friend , President Molino . 03:04.289 --> 03:06.511 President Molino and his administration 03:06.511 --> 03:09.240 are a great ally of the United States . 03:10.429 --> 03:12.570 We are deeply grateful for the 03:12.570 --> 03:14.410 friendship of our Panamanian 03:14.410 --> 03:16.410 counterparts , your partnership and 03:16.410 --> 03:18.889 your leadership here in Panama and 03:18.889 --> 03:22.130 across the region . We face share 03:22.139 --> 03:24.809 shared security challenges and common 03:24.809 --> 03:27.429 threats . Together we will deter them 03:27.429 --> 03:29.350 by increasing our defenses and 03:29.350 --> 03:31.789 achieving peace through strength . 03:33.279 --> 03:36.360 Since President Trump was elected , our 03:36.360 --> 03:38.240 two nations have done more to 03:38.240 --> 03:40.630 strengthen cooperation in a few months 03:41.160 --> 03:44.619 than we have in decades . And President 03:44.619 --> 03:47.100 Molino , who we met with earlier , we 03:47.100 --> 03:49.139 have you to thank in large part for 03:49.139 --> 03:51.830 that as well . We're partnering closely 03:51.830 --> 03:53.990 in 3 areas . First , securing our 03:53.990 --> 03:56.580 borders and stopping mass illegal 03:56.580 --> 03:59.710 migration . What Panama has done in the 03:59.710 --> 04:03.550 Darien Gap is incredible crossings 04:03.550 --> 04:07.020 down 99% since a year ago . 04:08.169 --> 04:10.058 Second , we're countering violent 04:10.058 --> 04:12.750 cartels and criminal enterprises . And 04:12.750 --> 04:14.972 third , we're securing the Panama Canal 04:14.972 --> 04:18.019 and countering China's malign influence . 04:18.670 --> 04:21.420 The Panama Canal is key terrain that 04:21.420 --> 04:24.380 must be secured by Panama with America 04:24.380 --> 04:27.700 and not China . To that 04:27.700 --> 04:31.260 end , that is why the United States and 04:31.260 --> 04:34.399 Panama have just signed a memorandum of 04:34.399 --> 04:36.510 understanding on cooperative security 04:36.510 --> 04:39.450 activities . And we'll be signing just 04:39.450 --> 04:41.561 moments after this press conference a 04:41.561 --> 04:43.760 joint declaration . With the Minister 04:43.760 --> 04:47.290 of Canal Affairs on the security and 04:47.290 --> 04:49.401 operation of the Panama Canal , which 04:49.401 --> 04:52.649 is a framework for US warship and 04:52.649 --> 04:56.410 auxiliary ships to sail first and 04:56.410 --> 04:59.170 free through the Panama Canal . 05:00.589 --> 05:02.869 These documents reaffirm our historic 05:02.869 --> 05:05.429 ties and outline how we will deepen our 05:05.429 --> 05:08.309 relationship and strengthen bilateral 05:08.309 --> 05:11.989 canal security cooperation . It also 05:11.989 --> 05:14.211 builds on the great work started by our 05:14.211 --> 05:16.929 Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his 05:16.929 --> 05:20.570 team . This memorandum of understanding 05:20.570 --> 05:24.380 will increase joint training exercises , 05:24.390 --> 05:25.839 operations , and overall 05:25.839 --> 05:28.690 interoperability between our two forces . 05:29.779 --> 05:33.290 Reestablishing rotational and joint 05:33.700 --> 05:37.049 presence . At Fort Sherman , Rodman 05:37.049 --> 05:39.369 Naval Station , and Howard Air Force 05:39.369 --> 05:42.329 Base at Fort Sherman reviving the 05:42.329 --> 05:45.489 jungle school alongside Panamanian 05:45.489 --> 05:48.750 forces . Our expanded security 05:48.750 --> 05:50.829 relationship will also enhance cyber 05:50.829 --> 05:53.029 cooperation , information sharing , 05:53.350 --> 05:56.140 bilateral security dialogues and canal 05:56.140 --> 05:59.239 infrastructure improvements . These 05:59.239 --> 06:01.559 steps are gonna help Panama deter and 06:01.559 --> 06:03.615 counter malign activity in the areas 06:03.615 --> 06:07.029 surrounding the canal . Our 06:07.029 --> 06:09.670 countries reaffirmed our shared 06:09.670 --> 06:12.779 commitment . To protecting Panamanian 06:12.779 --> 06:15.619 sovereignty from malign influence . 06:16.570 --> 06:18.890 And we recognize the foundational 06:18.890 --> 06:21.559 importance of our constitutional 06:21.559 --> 06:24.709 governments . Including respect for our 06:24.709 --> 06:27.839 neutrality treaty . We've also been 06:27.839 --> 06:29.950 working closely with the Panama Canal 06:29.950 --> 06:32.480 Authority . And we will further 06:32.480 --> 06:34.424 increase our cooperation with each 06:34.424 --> 06:36.647 other . The Army , the US Army Corps of 06:36.647 --> 06:38.702 Engineers is one example . They were 06:38.702 --> 06:40.970 critical in building the canal over 120 06:40.970 --> 06:43.209 years ago and have partnered closely 06:43.209 --> 06:45.542 with the Canal Authority for many years . 06:45.679 --> 06:47.735 The Canal Authority will continue to 06:47.735 --> 06:49.790 pay the corps of engineers for their 06:49.790 --> 06:52.970 expertise and technical support . This 06:52.980 --> 06:55.359 will help ensure the canal's long-term 06:55.359 --> 06:58.959 sustainability . And this summer , the 06:58.959 --> 07:01.299 USNS Comfort , a naval hospital ship , 07:01.369 --> 07:03.940 will visit Panama . And provide medical 07:03.940 --> 07:06.500 help and deepen bilateral relationships 07:06.500 --> 07:09.200 between our service members . And our 07:09.200 --> 07:12.609 people Beyond our important 07:12.609 --> 07:14.890 bilateral relationship with Panama , 07:15.220 --> 07:17.387 I'm proud to be here to participate in 07:17.387 --> 07:19.720 the Central America Security Conference . 07:19.720 --> 07:21.890 So thank you again , Minister Abrego . 07:22.790 --> 07:25.059 Admiral Halsey , commander of US 07:25.059 --> 07:27.115 Southern Command , doing a fantastic 07:27.115 --> 07:29.410 job for convening this important 07:29.410 --> 07:32.239 regional security forum . It was great 07:32.239 --> 07:34.350 to meet so many partners earlier this 07:34.350 --> 07:36.517 morning and last night and hear how we 07:36.517 --> 07:38.295 are working together , training 07:38.295 --> 07:40.406 together and exercising together . In 07:40.406 --> 07:42.799 fact , right now , partnering with 07:42.799 --> 07:46.540 Panama . We have 2 cruisers , 2 USS 07:46.540 --> 07:50.019 Coast Guard cutters , F-18 fighters , a 07:50.019 --> 07:52.241 US Marine Corps infantry company , over 07:52.241 --> 07:55.440 1000 US troops supporting partner 07:55.970 --> 07:59.950 operations in Panama . Together 08:00.200 --> 08:02.040 with Panama , we're focused on 08:02.040 --> 08:04.207 strengthening our security cooperation 08:04.207 --> 08:06.318 and countering malign influence . The 08:06.318 --> 08:08.600 security of our hemisphere is a top 08:08.600 --> 08:10.440 priority for the United States 08:10.440 --> 08:12.607 Department of Defense . Our mission is 08:12.607 --> 08:14.959 simple achieve peace through strength 08:15.320 --> 08:18.809 through an America first approach . As 08:18.809 --> 08:21.170 I've said before , America first does 08:21.170 --> 08:24.059 not mean America alone . Rather . 08:25.130 --> 08:28.269 Putting America first , a phrase coined 08:28.269 --> 08:31.209 by President Trump and advanced in our 08:31.209 --> 08:34.099 interests . Means making our alliances 08:34.099 --> 08:36.940 and partnerships make sense for the 08:36.940 --> 08:39.859 American people and our friends , as he 08:39.859 --> 08:43.640 says . It's common sense In this 08:43.640 --> 08:45.960 region as we put America first , we are 08:45.960 --> 08:48.750 putting the Americas first as well . 08:48.880 --> 08:51.047 We're doing this by confronting shared 08:51.047 --> 08:53.390 threats and shared challenges in this 08:53.390 --> 08:56.599 hemisphere , starting as President 08:56.599 --> 08:59.760 Trump has led the way by securing our 08:59.760 --> 09:02.549 southern border , getting 100% 09:02.559 --> 09:06.030 operational control . Because border 09:06.030 --> 09:08.520 security is national security and it 09:08.520 --> 09:11.349 starts at home . We're doing this by 09:11.349 --> 09:13.571 stopping illegal migration , destroying 09:13.571 --> 09:16.349 transnational cartels and gangs , and 09:16.349 --> 09:18.469 ending the era of capitulation to 09:18.469 --> 09:21.619 coercion . To the communist Chinese , 09:21.729 --> 09:25.580 as I said yesterday . We are helping to 09:25.580 --> 09:28.489 take back the Panama Canal from 09:28.489 --> 09:32.380 communist Chinese influence . Like 09:32.380 --> 09:34.602 our partners across Central America and 09:34.602 --> 09:36.824 South America , the United States wants 09:36.824 --> 09:38.491 a hemisphere that is secure , 09:38.780 --> 09:41.330 prosperous , and full of sovereign 09:41.330 --> 09:44.570 nations . This is not about globalism . 09:45.270 --> 09:48.669 Or foreign adventurism . This is a 09:48.669 --> 09:52.549 golden age of clear-eyed Americanism . 09:53.559 --> 09:57.340 And shared national interests . We want 09:57.340 --> 09:59.179 this to be a golden age for our 09:59.179 --> 10:01.820 countries together and for this 10:01.820 --> 10:05.659 hemisphere . We want in short , not 10:05.659 --> 10:08.059 only to make America great again but to 10:08.059 --> 10:11.539 make the Americas great again . And we 10:11.539 --> 10:13.428 will achieve these goals together 10:13.428 --> 10:16.179 standing shoulder to shoulder with our 10:16.179 --> 10:18.859 allies and partners with President 10:18.859 --> 10:21.419 Trump leading the way . So again , I 10:21.419 --> 10:23.252 want to thank President Molino , 10:23.252 --> 10:25.380 Minister Abrego for being valued 10:25.380 --> 10:28.739 partners and for hosting us in your 10:28.739 --> 10:31.020 beautiful country . And with that , we 10:31.020 --> 10:32.853 look forward to your questions . 10:37.750 --> 10:40.729 We appreciate the words of Secretary of 10:40.729 --> 10:42.729 Defense of the United States . Mr . 10:42.729 --> 10:45.400 Heck said , thank you for your remarks . 10:45.570 --> 10:47.690 At this time we opened the floor to 10:47.690 --> 10:51.450 questions , uh , to the media right 10:51.450 --> 10:54.450 now we have , uh , Mr . Adolfo Brios 10:54.450 --> 10:56.710 from Estria de Panama . Mhm . 10:59.650 --> 11:03.450 Good day , uh , 11:03.510 --> 11:05.960 Mr . Secretary of Defense , you 11:05.960 --> 11:08.469 mentioned the US troops that are 11:08.760 --> 11:11.080 helping the Panamanian forces and the 11:11.080 --> 11:13.280 memorandum talks about increasing 11:13.280 --> 11:16.000 bilateral activities . The joint 11:16.000 --> 11:18.919 announcement , uh , in English makes no 11:18.919 --> 11:21.086 mention of Panama sovereignty over the 11:21.086 --> 11:23.960 canal , so , uh , the US recognized 11:23.960 --> 11:26.969 Panama sovereignty over the canal . And 11:27.359 --> 11:30.419 if there are plans from the US to 11:30.799 --> 11:33.080 maintain a permanent military presence 11:33.080 --> 11:34.691 in Panama beyond the current 11:34.691 --> 11:36.909 cooperation and training . Appreciate 11:36.909 --> 11:39.109 the question . Yes , we certainly 11:39.109 --> 11:41.276 understand that the Panama Canal is in 11:41.276 --> 11:44.719 Panama . Uh , and protecting Panamanian 11:44.719 --> 11:47.530 sovereignty from malign influence is 11:47.530 --> 11:49.752 important . Which is why when President 11:49.752 --> 11:51.974 Trump says we're taking back the Panama 11:51.974 --> 11:54.710 Canal from Chinese influence that 11:54.710 --> 11:56.869 involves partnership with the United 11:56.869 --> 11:59.419 States and Panama , and we're grateful 11:59.590 --> 12:02.440 that they've welcomed US troops on 12:02.440 --> 12:05.280 Panamanian soil by invitation through 12:05.280 --> 12:08.830 rotational joint exercises , and that's 12:08.830 --> 12:10.886 what you'll see in the memorandum of 12:10.886 --> 12:12.830 understanding is an opportunity to 12:12.830 --> 12:14.909 revive whether it's uh the military 12:14.909 --> 12:16.960 base , naval air station . Uh , 12:17.900 --> 12:20.260 locations where US troops can work with 12:20.260 --> 12:21.871 Panamanian troops to enhance 12:21.871 --> 12:23.940 capabilities and cooperate in a 12:23.940 --> 12:26.020 rotational way . We welcome the 12:26.020 --> 12:28.187 opportunity to have an increased troop 12:28.187 --> 12:30.409 presence here alongside the Panamanians 12:30.409 --> 12:32.780 to secure the sovereignty of the Panama 12:32.780 --> 12:34.724 Canal . Are there plans to make it 12:34.724 --> 12:37.940 permanent ? Ultimately we look forward 12:37.940 --> 12:40.520 to a long relationship with the country 12:40.520 --> 12:42.280 of Panama and that would be in 12:42.280 --> 12:44.280 deliberation with the leadership of 12:44.280 --> 12:47.049 Panama . go with 12:51.429 --> 12:53.596 Uh , well , thank you , uh , secretary 12:53.596 --> 12:55.540 thank you Mr . Minister . Um , two 12:55.540 --> 12:57.707 parts if I may , uh , number one , the 12:57.707 --> 12:59.929 Chinese responded quite aggressively to 12:59.929 --> 12:59.580 your trip , uh , saying , well , 12:59.659 --> 13:01.826 accusing the US of blackmail , uh , so 13:01.826 --> 13:03.937 I thought I'd just ask you , have you 13:03.937 --> 13:05.992 blackmailed anyone and Minister , do 13:05.992 --> 13:08.103 you feel blackmailed at all ? Uh , my 13:08.103 --> 13:08.010 second question is for the minister , 13:08.210 --> 13:10.890 uh , about Taiwanese sovereignty . Uh , 13:11.020 --> 13:13.076 this country has ceased to recognize 13:13.076 --> 13:15.340 Taiwan since 2017 . Did Taiwan come up 13:15.340 --> 13:17.507 in your conversations this week and is 13:17.507 --> 13:19.562 that something you'll pursue again ? 13:19.562 --> 13:23.549 Thank you . Well , I don't know 13:23.549 --> 13:25.771 anything about blackmail . I appreciate 13:25.771 --> 13:27.716 the question , but I do know about 13:27.716 --> 13:30.219 strength . Peace through strength And 13:30.219 --> 13:32.179 deterrence , uh , you're seeing 13:32.179 --> 13:34.659 strength from President Trump with 13:34.659 --> 13:36.700 tariffs , with reciprocal tariffs , 13:36.710 --> 13:39.260 recognizing that , uh , he's willing to 13:39.260 --> 13:41.229 protect American industries and 13:41.229 --> 13:43.580 American workers from unfair trade 13:43.580 --> 13:46.890 practices that have existed for decades 13:46.890 --> 13:49.260 and no one stood up on behalf of 13:49.260 --> 13:51.539 America . President Trump is doing that 13:51.539 --> 13:54.270 in real time right now . And at the 13:54.270 --> 13:56.492 Defense Department , whether it was our 13:56.492 --> 13:58.270 trip to the Indo-Pacific in the 13:58.270 --> 14:00.103 Philippines , Japan and Guam and 14:00.103 --> 14:02.214 elsewhere or here in the Panama Canal 14:02.214 --> 14:04.159 and with our Panamanian partners , 14:04.159 --> 14:06.159 we're standing up to malign Chinese 14:06.159 --> 14:08.950 influence and simply saying a strong 14:08.950 --> 14:11.869 America that deters that influence in 14:11.869 --> 14:14.590 our own backyard in our hemisphere is 14:14.590 --> 14:18.150 good for us . Good for our partners and 14:18.150 --> 14:20.206 creates opportunities for freedom in 14:20.206 --> 14:22.483 the future . So again , this is uh not , 14:22.483 --> 14:25.049 not about , we want peace . We seek 14:25.049 --> 14:27.690 peace . We don't seek conflict , but we 14:27.690 --> 14:29.912 believe that conflict does not come the 14:29.912 --> 14:31.968 stronger we are , and we're happy to 14:31.968 --> 14:33.912 speak it clearly , which President 14:33.912 --> 14:36.079 Trump has always been willing to speak 14:36.079 --> 14:38.134 that clearly , which is why we point 14:38.134 --> 14:41.080 out here clearly the malign influence 14:41.080 --> 14:43.024 of the communist Chinese and their 14:43.024 --> 14:45.080 attempt to leverage it in the Panama 14:45.080 --> 14:48.219 Canal or Panama Canal area . Which does 14:48.219 --> 14:50.950 not serve Panamanian interests or 14:50.950 --> 14:53.006 American interests , uh , and that's 14:53.006 --> 14:55.061 something we will stand up for every 14:55.061 --> 14:54.539 day . 14:58.770 --> 15:00.869 We continue with questions . Now we 15:00.869 --> 15:04.859 have Juan Jose Rodriguez from Media 15:04.859 --> 15:08.820 AFP . Good afternoon . I wanted to ask , 15:08.909 --> 15:12.510 uh , secretary , yesterday the press 15:12.510 --> 15:16.229 released , uh , and talk . About , um , 15:16.380 --> 15:19.419 an agreement of uh uh an agreement to 15:19.419 --> 15:22.969 for the passage of warships to not pay 15:22.969 --> 15:26.380 um when they cross the Panama Canal , I 15:26.380 --> 15:28.820 wanted to ask if there has been an 15:28.820 --> 15:30.987 agreement between Panama and the US to 15:30.987 --> 15:34.669 effectively . Um , waive those , 15:34.739 --> 15:37.219 uh , payments to Panama when these 15:37.219 --> 15:40.500 warships cross or if Panama has to 15:40.500 --> 15:42.849 return that , uh , payment through 15:42.849 --> 15:44.960 purchasing materials or anything from 15:44.960 --> 15:48.260 the US in that case if this wouldn't 15:48.739 --> 15:51.409 that break the spirit of the neutrality 15:51.409 --> 15:52.099 treaties . 15:58.059 --> 16:00.539 Appreciate the question . Uh , we're 16:00.539 --> 16:02.761 calling it and we said in our statement 16:02.761 --> 16:05.570 yesterday first and free first and free 16:05.570 --> 16:08.309 for US and Panamanian vessels , 16:08.390 --> 16:11.369 military and auxiliary vessels , uh , 16:11.380 --> 16:13.580 in partnership , that's why after this 16:13.580 --> 16:15.539 we're signing with the minister of 16:15.539 --> 16:18.289 Canal Affairs , but it is in keeping 16:18.659 --> 16:20.715 with the understanding of the Panama 16:20.715 --> 16:22.969 Constitution . With the authorities of 16:22.969 --> 16:25.729 the Panama Canal , uh , so we've worked 16:25.729 --> 16:28.289 directly with Panamanian leadership 16:28.289 --> 16:30.400 with the canal authority to make sure 16:30.400 --> 16:32.770 it's arranged in such a way , uh , that 16:32.770 --> 16:35.729 it is first and free , uh , and , and 16:35.729 --> 16:37.896 is in keeping with their understanding 16:37.896 --> 16:39.951 that we'll be signing that framework 16:39.951 --> 16:42.285 which is what it is today , a framework , 16:42.285 --> 16:44.451 uh , right after this press conference 16:44.451 --> 16:46.618 with the minister of Canal affairs but 16:46.618 --> 16:48.729 it was important to us , uh , that in 16:48.729 --> 16:50.951 moments of contingency . Our troops can 16:50.951 --> 16:52.951 travel first and free , and we're , 16:52.951 --> 16:54.673 we're grateful that our , uh , 16:54.673 --> 16:56.896 Panamanian partners are working with us 16:56.896 --> 16:58.840 on that . Absolutely , thank you . 17:09.979 --> 17:12.719 Good afternoon . um , Secretary Hegseth , 17:12.930 --> 17:14.930 did you provide assurances that the 17:14.930 --> 17:16.819 United States would not intervene 17:16.819 --> 17:18.763 militarily to take over the Panama 17:18.763 --> 17:20.763 Canal or is that contingent on what 17:20.763 --> 17:22.874 happens with Chinese presence here in 17:22.874 --> 17:25.097 Panama ? And your top general , uh , in 17:25.097 --> 17:27.319 Europe said yesterday the United States 17:27.319 --> 17:29.374 should keep its military presence on 17:29.374 --> 17:31.374 the continent as it is now . Do you 17:31.374 --> 17:33.430 agree , uh , and are you considering 17:33.430 --> 17:35.597 relinquishing the sack your post to an 17:35.597 --> 17:37.652 un-American ? And to Minister , uh , 17:37.652 --> 17:40.760 Abrego , would Panama accept , uh , a 17:40.760 --> 17:43.160 permanent deployment of US troops or 17:43.160 --> 17:45.160 the establishment of a permanent US 17:45.160 --> 17:48.150 military base on Panama Panamanian soil ? 17:48.400 --> 17:50.178 And if not , why not ? Thanks . 17:52.489 --> 17:54.600 I would just start by saying the only 17:54.600 --> 17:56.711 person that will make a determination 17:56.880 --> 17:58.991 about force structure of US troops in 17:58.991 --> 18:01.047 Europe will be President Trump , the 18:01.047 --> 18:03.158 commander in chief , uh , and we will 18:03.158 --> 18:05.324 continue to have ongoing discussions , 18:05.324 --> 18:07.547 including inside the context of Ukraine 18:07.547 --> 18:09.658 Russia negotiations of what our force 18:09.658 --> 18:11.991 posture should be on the continent . Uh , 18:11.991 --> 18:14.269 that best addresses American interests , 18:14.269 --> 18:16.213 uh , and ensures burden sharing in 18:16.213 --> 18:18.380 Europe as well , uh , to the question 18:18.380 --> 18:21.310 about . Chinese influence , we are 18:21.310 --> 18:23.949 focused on working together with our 18:23.949 --> 18:25.893 Panamanian partners to ensure that 18:25.893 --> 18:29.010 malign Chinese influence is not allowed 18:29.270 --> 18:31.869 to take any additional hold and is in 18:31.869 --> 18:34.150 fact expelled from the Panama Canal and 18:34.150 --> 18:36.310 the Panama Canal area , and they've 18:36.310 --> 18:39.069 been very fruitful conversations . I 18:39.069 --> 18:40.791 don't know if the minister has 18:44.040 --> 18:47.459 Yes , good afternoon . Again . We want 18:47.459 --> 18:51.390 to establish or um . To say that 18:51.390 --> 18:54.689 Panama . Absolutely during this uh 18:54.689 --> 18:57.839 memorandum of understanding has . Given 18:57.839 --> 19:00.849 any sovereignty of the Panama Canal or 19:00.849 --> 19:04.209 any of the adjacent zones , Panama 19:04.209 --> 19:07.250 is , um , within the framework of the 19:07.250 --> 19:09.709 neutrality treaty and based on that 19:10.930 --> 19:14.449 part of the constitution , the US has 19:14.449 --> 19:16.810 managed themselves with respect . We 19:16.810 --> 19:19.699 just heard the secretary say that he 19:20.250 --> 19:22.689 will have a meeting with the minister 19:22.689 --> 19:26.170 of the canal . He already had it in the 19:26.170 --> 19:28.114 past with the administrator of the 19:28.114 --> 19:31.229 Panama Canal searching for the uh uh 19:31.229 --> 19:35.109 correct uh way to not go against the 19:35.109 --> 19:37.420 neutrality treaty uh or the Panamanian 19:37.420 --> 19:39.587 constitution that has been established 19:39.587 --> 19:42.959 so Panama . Uh , mentioned through , uh , 19:42.969 --> 19:45.530 or the , the Panama's president 19:45.530 --> 19:47.308 mentioned that we cannot accept 19:47.500 --> 19:50.290 military bases or defense bases . We 19:50.290 --> 19:52.250 are clear that we need to keep a 19:52.250 --> 19:54.489 cooperation in terms of security with 19:54.489 --> 19:57.489 the US and with the US military , and 19:57.489 --> 19:59.711 that's something that keeps happening . 19:59.711 --> 20:01.878 It's an ongoing exercise . It has been 20:01.878 --> 20:04.839 over 18 years that we have had , uh , 20:04.849 --> 20:08.130 ongoing exercises with the US , um . 20:08.660 --> 20:12.489 Air Force and the US Army , so this 20:12.489 --> 20:16.310 is not , not new . We understand that 20:16.449 --> 20:18.560 based on international media and what 20:18.560 --> 20:21.239 has taken place that it becomes a hot 20:21.239 --> 20:24.930 trend , but uh maybe we want 20:24.930 --> 20:27.041 and also we want to know a little bit 20:27.041 --> 20:28.819 more , but in this sense uh our 20:28.819 --> 20:30.969 president uh Mulino established 20:30.969 --> 20:33.349 yesterday in his press communication 20:33.650 --> 20:36.250 and with uh Mr . Secretary Hexet in 20:36.250 --> 20:38.194 that private meeting they had . He 20:38.194 --> 20:41.060 acknowledged the sovereignty of Panama 20:41.060 --> 20:42.819 over the Panama Canal , and he 20:42.819 --> 20:45.890 acknowledged that the Uh , neutrality 20:45.890 --> 20:47.779 treaty has to be respected in our 20:47.779 --> 20:49.930 constitution as well , just as we 20:49.930 --> 20:52.109 respect the Constitution of the US and 20:52.109 --> 20:54.890 their laws when we , uh , address any 20:54.890 --> 20:57.520 type of negotiation . All this has been , 20:57.890 --> 21:00.050 uh , written down and documents that 21:00.050 --> 21:02.689 will become public , public , um . 21:03.589 --> 21:06.979 Um , and there's nothing , uh , on the 21:06.979 --> 21:09.099 table . There is nothing , uh , in 21:09.099 --> 21:11.609 hiding . Everything will be out there 21:11.609 --> 21:14.839 and available for anyone who wants to 21:15.380 --> 21:18.099 read it . Thank you . What the what the 21:18.099 --> 21:20.099 minister has said is what the media 21:20.099 --> 21:23.050 tries to do very hard is to divide us 21:23.699 --> 21:25.810 and what we call that in the states , 21:25.819 --> 21:27.930 Mr . Minister , is fake news so thank 21:27.930 --> 21:28.930 you . 21:33.250 --> 21:35.619 We wrap up this press conference . 21:35.680 --> 21:38.180 Thanks to everyone for joining us and 21:38.180 --> 21:39.420 have an awesome afternoon .