Pentagon announced on Friday that U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth would travel to Panama early next week, where he would participate in the annual Central American Security Conference.

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell stated that Hegseth will hold bilateral meetings during the conference. "This will help to drive our ongoing efforts to enhance our partnerships with Panama, and other Central American countries toward our shared vision of a peaceful and secured Western Hemisphere."

Donald Trump, the U.S. president, has repeatedly said that he wants to retake the Panama Canal. This is one of the most important waterways in the world, but hasn't given any details about how he will do it or whether military action may be necessary. Reporting by Phil Stewart, Idrees Al-Il; Editing Leslie Adler

(source: Reuters)