What Happened
U.S. Southern Command Commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan wrapped up a visit to Panama from March 30 to April 1, meeting with President José Raúl Mulino and senior government officials to discuss security cooperation, regional stability, and the protection of the Panama Canal.
Donovan said the United States remains committed to working side-by-side with Panama to confront security challenges in the Western Hemisphere. The discussions also included joint efforts against narcotrafficking and narcoterrorism, along with the broader defense of critical maritime routes tied to international commerce.
Meetings With Panama’s Security Leadership
Along with Mulino, Donovan met with Minister of Security Frank Alexis Ábrego to underscore Panama’s role as a regional security partner. The talks focused on countering organized criminal threats, safeguarding the canal, and keeping trade moving through one of the world’s most important waterways.
Ambassador to Panama Kevin Marino Cabrera joined Donovan during the meeting with the president. Donovan also spent time with U.S. service members in Panama who are taking part in bilateral training with Panamanian security personnel.
Aircraft Carrier Visit Marks a Milestone
As part of the visit, Donovan and Cabrera joined senior Panamanian officials aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and the guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley, which were in Panama for the multinational maritime cooperation exercise Southern Seas 2026. The carrier’s presence in Panamanian waters marked the first such visit in more than 50 years.
The visit was presented as a visible sign of the expanded bilateral security partnership. Donovan described the ships as powerful assets and said their regional presence reflects a commitment to pressure criminal networks and support stability across the hemisphere.
Training and Canal Security
Donovan and Cabrera also visited the Jungle Operations Training Course–Panama, created in 2025, where U.S. and Panamanian forces train together to improve readiness and interoperability in jungle operations. The program is part of a wider effort to strengthen cooperation between the two countries’ security forces.
Another stop took the delegation to the Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal, where Donovan met with Canal Administrator Dr. Ricaurte Vásquez Morales. The discussions centered on the continued safety and security of the canal, a strategic transit route vital to global shipping and to Panama’s economy.
Why It Matters
The visit highlights the growing security relationship between Panama and the United States at a time when both governments are emphasizing cooperation against transnational crime and threats to maritime security. With the canal remaining a core national asset, the meetings reinforced Panama’s strategic role in regional defense and commerce.
For Panama, the partnership brings added training, joint operations, and high-level coordination. For the United States, it reflects a sustained effort to support stability in a country that sits at the center of interoceanic trade and regional transit.