Hundreds of Panamanian police units, along with U.S. military personnel, began joint training exercises this Monday as part of Operation Panamax Alfa 2025 , which authorities say is aimed at protecting the Canal and other strategic facilities in the country.

The exercises, which are in Phase 1, involve at least 80 members of the main national security forces: the National Aeronaval Service (Senan), the National Border Service (Senafront) , and the National Police . Meanwhile, military units from the Joint Task Force-Bravo of the Southern Command are participating on behalf of the United States .

“Right now, the areas where this training will be carried out are the Panama Pacifico airport area and the Cristóbal Colón base airport (Colón province) and the National Police Tactical Training Center in Cerro Tigre. We also have reconnaissance in the Punta Pacífica area, where the Panama Clinic Hospital heliport is located, to prepare for any evacuees or injuries during the training so we can be prepared and familiar with the area,” said Maicol Palacio , Deputy Commissioner of Senan .

U.S. Colonel Lance Awbrey stated that all operations are “coordinated with the government of Panama.” “It’s an exercise we conduct annually with the government of Panama. The purpose is to strengthen the relationship with the National Security Council (SENAN) and the Panamanian security forces, to improve interoperability between our forces, and to seek opportunities to share and improve the exchange of information,” Awbrey stated.

The operation comes as President Donald Trump ‘s administration has threatened Panama with a forceful seizure of the canal, in addition to making unsubstantiated accusations that the country is “violating” the Neutrality Treaty through its relations with China.

https://newsroompanama.com/2025/07/14/the-panamax-alpha-2025-joint-exercise-with-panama-and-the-us-begins-with-phase-1/

The government of José Raúl Mulino has also signed at least three agreements that have sparked enormous controversy, following allegations of a transfer of sovereignty and the possible establishment of military bases, something the executive branch denies.