The United States is intensifying diplomatic and military manoeuvres to challenge Panama's sovereignty over the strategically crucial Panama Canal, with Washington developing contingency plans that range from increased military cooperation to potential forceful intervention.

“ Canada is a sovereign state, yes ,” Pete Hoekstra told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He’s a former congressman who served as U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands in President Donald Trump ’s first term.

NBC News has reported that the Trump administration has asked the US military to draw plans to “reclaim” Panama Canal and Southern Command has been tasked with this. The exact meaning of the world “reclaim” remains unclear.