To the editor:
The Panama Canal remains a critical asset for U.S. strategic interests, echoing the Monroe Doctrine and Roosevelt Corollary in our modern context. As China extends its economic influence in Panama, the canal’s neutrality and our regional dominance are at risk.
The incoming Trump administration must counterbalance Chinese investments with robust economic diplomacy, strengthening alliances through the OAS, and ensuring transparency in foreign investments. While promoting soft power through cultural and educational exchanges, we must not shy away from demonstrating military readiness to deter any threats to the canal’s neutrality.
The canal symbolizes not just a passage but American commitment to hemispheric security and prosperity. The U.S. must act decisively to maintain this strategic artery under our protective gaze, ensuring it stands as a testament to U.S. leadership and foresight for future generations.
Ronald Beaty
West Barnstable
