The National Front for the Defense of Economic and Social Rights (Frenadeso) denounced that, at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East, the administration of Jose Raul Mulino is “servilely offering the isthmus as a platform for military exercises and endangering the security of all Panamanians.”

  They also labeled Mayor Mayer Mizrachi and Representatives Jose Barboni (Another Way Movement) and Roberto Zuniga (Vamos) as “traitors” after they visited the USS Nimitz at sea the previous day and took photos with its crew.   On the other hand, they rejected the most recent announcement from the United States Embassy in Panama regarding the arrival of a smaller aircraft carrier during Holy Week and the invitation extended to young people to tour the vessel.

  For the group, the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the United States in April 2025 endorses the growing presence of troops and the establishment of military bases, to the detriment of sovereignty.

  According to reports from the Ministry of Security and the U.S. Embassy itself, the ships will remain in Panamanian waters until April 2nd, as part of the eleventh edition of the international maritime cooperation exercises “Southern Seas” 2026.

Press reports points out that Southern Command explained that the Nimitz and the destroyer Gridley will conduct passage exercises and operations at sea with the maritime forces of allied nations in South America.

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