Panama Forum

panamajames
Joined 2012
Posts: 5096

6 years ago

The US appears to be targeting an invasion of Venezuela from Panama

6 years ago

The news media is informing all those living in Panama, that the Panamanian government will allow up to 415 members of the US Air Force, occupy Panamanian territory during the first half of 2018 wearing military uniforms and carrying weapons. The agreement is part of the exercises called 'New Horizons'. In the past, the USA has justified these maneuvers under the assumption that they do so in combination with the Panamanian Police to protect the Canal. On other occasions they use the excuse of the old 'war on drugs'. Sometimes they mention tropical rainforests as areas for 'exotic' practices. On this occasion, everything indicates that the US is targeting an invasion of Venezuela. This was stated by Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson.

The US Embassy notified the Panamanian Government about the New Horizons exercise on December 11, 2017. The response from Panama, accepting the military occupation, was transmitted almost one month later, on January 4, 2018. The US troops entered Panama on January 2, two days before the response from the Foreign Ministry. Apparently, the USA was going to invade Panamanian territory with or without government authorization. The 'New Horizons' exercises are being carried out in the provinces of Darién, Veraguas and Coclé. They can be extended to 'any other place approved by the Government of Panama and the Embassy', according to the agreement.

The American troops will have a condition equivalent to that granted to the diplomatic staff of an Embassy. On another point, the Panamanian government accepts responsibility and exempts the US government of any claim that is brought against US personnel in relation to this mission in Panama. In the case of third-party claims for deaths not related to the combat of military personnel, they will pay in accordance with US law.

A few years ago, if you recall, a soldier killed a young Panamanian woman. The military man was removed from the country by the US Embassy and subsequently tried in that country. The relatives still ask for justice without the Panamanian Government assuming its responsibilities in this case.

The Popular Alternative Movement (MAP) condemned the US military exercises on Panamanian soil. Since January 2, 2018, troops have been disembarking in Panama, under strict censorship. The true intentions of the exercises and the role of the armed groups of Panama are still unknown. According to the MAP, it is a clear message from Washington against any Panamanian policy that is not subordinated to the interests of that country. In addition, it places the Panamanian Government at the center of plans to militarily invade the sister country of Venezuela. According to the Panamanian internationalist, Julio Yao, the exercises constitute a flagrant violation of the Neutrality Treaty that regulates relations between Panama and the United States on the Canal.
Secretary Rex Tillerson's tour of several countries in the region coincides with the exercises in Panama and also in the border areas between Brazil, Peru and Colombia with Venezuela in the Amazon. The US military presence in Panama is a sign of what Washington's intentions are.

Secretary Tillerson began his tour calling on the Venezuelan armed forces to start a coup against the government of Venezuela. The response to the unusual provocation of the US official came from the Venezuelan defense minister, Vladimir Padrino L., who said that "... the Bolivarian National Armed Forces (FANB) does not accept instructions from an imperialist gentleman."

Venezuela will hold elections in April of this year. With a divided opposition it is almost certain that the current president, Nicolás Maduro, who aspires to a re-election will triumph. The USA and some Latin American countries have already announced that they will not recognize the result of the vote. Washington also threatens to declare a blockade on oil exports, triggering a financial crisis. China, in turn, signed an agreement with Caracas to invest 100 billion dollars in the Orinoco basin to extract the 'black gold'.

In his tour, the US minister reminded the Latin American foreign ministries that "Latin America does not need new imperial powers that only look out for their interests." That is of course, referring to China. Panamanians can translate that message as a threat against President Varela's agreements with the People's Republic of China.

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