Laura J. Nelson is a staff writer at the Los Angeles Times, covering politics and campaign finance. Since joining The Times in 2012, she has also covered transportation and worked as an ...

Panama City (AFP) – US President Donald Trump's bid to take back control of the Panama Canal has put his counterpart Jose Raul Mulino in a difficult position and revived fears in the Central ...

US President Donald Trump's bid to take back control of the Panama Canal has put his counterpart Jose Raul Mulino in a difficult position and revived fears in the Central American country that US ...

Before Defense Secretary Hegseth arrived this week, for example, Panama President José Raúl Mulino's government said it was auditing and sanctioning Chinese companies there — including Hong ...

"Panama made clear, through President (Jose Raul) Mulino that we cannot accept military bases or defense sites," said Frank Abrego, speaking during a joint public appearance with Pentagon boss ...

During the Biden administration, Mulino had already begun closing the Darien Gap, where hundreds of thousands had crossed on their way to the US and by accepting deportation flights from the US.

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino, left, shakes hand with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at an agreement signing ceremony in Panama City, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias ...

Current and former US officials and experts say the United States has found a willing partner in tackling Chinese influence in Panama's president, Jose Raul Mulino, whom Hegseth met on Tuesday.

Despite the growing military and political coordination, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino has publicly denied that China controls the canal.

The United States and Panama have officially signed a new defense and security pact aimed at reinforcing control over the Panama Canal, a move that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claims is ...