The partnership between the United States and Panama is rooted in a longstanding history, one that has evolved from a traditional diplomatic relationship into a dynamic, multifaceted alliance. Today, it stands as a living collaboration built on mutual trust and a shared commitment to improving the well-being of the Panamanian people while promoting stability throughout the region.
From emergency response and infrastructure development to humanitarian assistance, the U.S.-Panama alliance actively addresses some of the most pressing challenges faced by vulnerable communities. Together, both nations are not only strengthening security cooperation but also delivering concrete, measurable outcomes that improve lives across Panama.
A mission of care
On June 25, the Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort docked in Colón, Panama, marking the second stop of the latest phase of Continuing Promise 2025 (CP25). This U.S. Southern Command- (SOUTHCOM) led humanitarian mission brings together military medical teams, engineers, and volunteers to work alongside host country counterparts in delivering free healthcare, infrastructure support, and community engagement across the country.
“Continuing Promise 2025 is a humanitarian mission that embodies our spirit of collaboration,” said U.S. Ambassador to Panama Kevin Marino Cabrera. “The arrival of the USNS Comfort represents a hand of friendship extended to support the people of Panama.”
This was the eighth CP mission stop in Panama and the fifth visit by the Comfort, a testament to the long-standing, dynamic relationship between the two nations. During this latest mission, medical teams offered a wide range of services including general medicine, pediatrics, cardiology, dermatology, dentistry, radiology, optometry, and veterinary care with a focus on the communities of Veracruz and Colón.
Panama’s Minister of Health, Fernando Boyd Galindo, highlighted the impact of the initiative. “You have been a beacon of hope in complex times, proudly embodying the commitment, dedication, and humanism that distinguishes this mission,” he said, underscoring the strength of the bilateral partnership.
Between June 26 and 30, CP25 provided care for 2,845 patients. U.S. Navy personnel, in collaboration with Panama’s Ministry of Health (MINSA), performed seven surgeries aboard the ship, conducted seven CT scans, 124 electrocardiograms, 487 tooth extractions, and 339 laboratory tests. In addition, the mission dispensed 3,577 medications and distributed 29 physical therapy devices. Veterinary teams spayed or neutered 375 animals, bringing vital services to often-overlooked populations.
“I feel very good; the attention was excellent. I would like them to come back at least every six months because it was really a very good experience,” Erika Ariza, who received care alongside her husband and son, told local news site Telemetro. “I thank MINSA and the U.S. Embassy for this initiative.”
Investing in communities through knowledge and culture
Beyond clinical care, the U.S.-Panama alliance extends into education, infrastructure, and cultural exchange. The mission included 23 technical knowledge-sharing sessions with 466 MINSA staff members. U.S. Navy technicians repaired critical medical equipment valued at $245,000 at Santo Tomás Hospital and the Veracruz Health Center. Meanwhile, U.S. nongovernmental organizations donated $198,000 in medical supplies to support Panama’s public health system.
Engineers aboard the Comfort contributed 205 service hours to renovate the kitchen of the United States of America School in Casco Antiguo, demonstrating the mission’s broad and people-centered impact. Meanwhile, the U.S. Navy band Uncharted Waters held three public concerts, drawing more than 2,200 attendees and deepening cultural ties through music.
“Through medical assistance, training, and cultural exchanges, we’re honored to stand alongside the people of Panama and deepen the friendship that connects our countries,” said U.S. Navy Captain Ryan Kendall, commodore of Destroyer Squadron 40 and CP25 mission commander.
While the Comfort concluded its mission and transited the Panama Canal on July 1, its departure marked not an end, but a reaffirmation of a lasting alliance, one that blends humanitarian aid, security cooperation, and infrastructure development with a broader network of year-round U.S.-Panama initiatives reaching from coastal cities to remote indigenous communities.
United for progress: community development
This spirit of collaboration stretches well beyond Colón and Veracruz. Across Panama, joint initiatives continue to demonstrate the tangible impact of U.S.-Panama cooperation on local communities.
In June, U.S. Ambassador Cabrera visited the provinces of Coclé and Veraguas, where he met with government and community leaders and inaugurated a pedestrian bridge in El Nanzal, Soná. The project, jointly funded by the SOUTHCOM Humanitarian Assistance Program and Panama’s Ministry of Public Works, addresses a longstanding community need.
“This bridge will allow students from the El Nanzal community to get to school safely without the danger of crossing the river,” said Cabrera. “Never again will a family have to worry whether their child arrived safely at school.”
The bridge is just one example of the broader support the United States has provided in Panama. Over the past two decades, the United States has invested $57 million in humanitarian projects across the country, supporting the construction and improvement of health centers, schools, emergency response capabilities, and other critical services.
In the district of Santiago, U.S. officials also distributed backpacks to local students — part of an ongoing effort to support educational access. And in response to concerns raised by Veraguas officials, SOUTHCOM is assisting with water quality testing to ensure safe drinking water reaches underserved communities.
Humanitarian aid in action: PANAMAX Alpha’s reach
This alliance’s commitment to humanitarian support was also on full display during Phase 0 of PANAMAX Alpha in late March and early April. Conducted in three phases, PANAMAX Alpha is a bilaterial, annual exercise between Panamanian and SOUTHCOM forces, focusing on the security of the Panama Canal. Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief are at the heart of the initial phase of the exercise, delivering immediate aid to underserved communities.
“The PANAMAX Alpha exercise focuses on cooperation and interoperability. It’s crucial for our units to train alongside U.S. forces and other participating agencies, where we can demonstrate our capabilities and refine our skills,” said Panama’s National Border Service (SENAFRONT) Deputy Commissioner Maritza Censión and director of PANAMAX Alpha 25. “That interaction allows us to develop contingency plans and prepare for potential threats to critical infrastructure like the Panama Canal.”
What makes this exercise particularly unique and far-reaching is that, far from being a routine military drill, it serves as a vital humanitarian lifeline, especially for communities with little or no access to essential services.
A clear example of this impact unfolded in Escobal and Sardinilla, where more than 800 patients received medical services, underscoring the urgent need for healthcare in underserved regions. Meanwhile, three HH-60 Blackhawk helicopters transported over 8,165 kilograms of food donated by Panama’s Food Marketing Institute to the remote island of La Esmeralda, ensuring that families isolated by geography were not left behind.
The mission also supported education. More than 455 kg of construction materials were delivered to Mamitupu, deep in the Guna Yala Comarca, to support the building of a much-needed local school offering hope and opportunity for the next generation.
The humanitarian reach extended further. SOUTHCOM’s Joint Task Force Bravo (JTF-Bravo) airlifted senior leaders from SOUTHCOM, the U.S. Embassy, and Panama’s National Air and Naval Service (SENAN) to participate in the inauguration of a $1.7 million health clinic donated by SOUTHCOM to serve the region of Playón Chico.
Panama’s Minister of Health Boyd Galindo expressed his gratitude to the United States for its assistance. “We deeply appreciate the support of the United States government and its commitment to the well-being of our country in bringing this health center to life, which will strengthen medical care for the residents of Playón Chico and surrounding communities,” he said.
The new Playón Chico Health Center will offer services such as general medicine, emergency care, nursing, maternal and childcare, pharmacy, clinical laboratory, dentistry, sterilization room, observation room, and more. Behind every delivery, every clinic, and every classroom stood a unified coalition of partners. U.S. medical teams, aviation units, and logistics experts worked in lockstep with SENAFRONT, SENAN, and the ministries of Health, Education, and Public Security.
“Panamanian agencies were integral to the success of PANAMAX Alpha,” said U.S. Marine Corps Major Andrew Ibos, JTF-Bravo’s operations planner.
For its part, Panama recognized the power of collaboration. “The partnership with the United States has had a significant impact, particularly in the province of Darién, where it has improved access to medical care and strengthened the relationship between SENAFRONT, government institutions, and communities like Playón Chico,” SENAFRONT Commissioner Raymond Cáceres Cedeño told Diálogo.
Building trust for the long term
PANAMAX Alpha is not a one-off initiative; it is part of a phased strategy designed to deepen bilateral cooperation and enhance readiness for regional security challenges.
Following the success of Phase 0, phases I and II are scheduled to kick off in mid-July and early September respectively. These next steps will build upon the trust, skills, and operational coordination long established.
“Phase I will focus on academic sessions, unilateral planning with Panamanian forces, and simulation exercises,” Maj. Ibos said. “Phase II will involve joint planning and a full command post exercise, with U.S. forces providing non-combat support.”
Each phase strengthens both operational capability and mutual trust, laying the groundwork for long-term regional resilience and preparedness.
Exercises like PANAMAX Alpha help regional partners sharpen their rapid response capabilities in real-world conditions. At the same time, they reinforce critical partnerships and generate lasting humanitarian benefits for communities on the ground.
Infrastructure resilience: Preparing for a changing climate
As climate-related challenges mount, this alliance is also addressing critical infrastructure vulnerabilities. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is working closely with the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) to confront severe drought risks threatening canal operations.
That collaboration extends to Panama’s coast. In Colón, U.S. Army engineers from the 553rd Forward Engineer Support Team-Advance (FEST-A) conducted a comprehensive survey in May 2025 to assess the city’s aging stormwater systems. Recurrent flooding due to infrastructure degradation has posed serious risks to residents for years.
FEST-A, alongside Colón’s Governor Julio Hernández Gregorie and local officials, inspected key pump stations on Calles 1, 13, and 16. The team assessed everything from pump functionality to the condition of debris filters meant to protect the drainage systems. At the nearly completed Calle 13 station, the team evaluated ongoing renovations, electrical systems, and emergency generators. These assessments will help inform a roadmap to modernize the city’s water infrastructure, an urgent priority in the face of climate volatility.
“We had a unique opportunity to gain a better understanding of the challenges encountered by the city of Colón with their stormwater and wastewater system,” said U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Brian Molloy, FEST-A commander. “This understanding will help the United States expand our partnerships with the government of Panama as we find ways to continue to work together.”
Juan Enciso, director of IDAAN Colón, Panama’s national agency for water and sanitation, also welcomed the support. “For us, it’s very important. We’ve tried everything we can to address sanitary and stormwater problems, but we need U.S. support and experience from the Engineering Corps.”
Training for crisis: Security and disaster preparedness
As natural disasters grow more intense and transnational threats more complex, the U.S.-Panama alliance is also investing in crisis preparedness. Key to that is the partnership between Panamanian forces and the Missouri National Guard (MONG) under the State Partnership Program (SPP).
For instance, in May 2025, Missouri guardsmen joined Panamanian officials for a three-day disaster preparedness workshop, simulating responses to a range of threats, from terrorist attacks to natural catastrophes.
Panama’s key emergency agencies participated, including the National Police (PNP), SENAN, SENAFRONT, and the National Civil Protection System (SINAPROC). Together, they reviewed Panama’s own emergency protocols and studied the U.S. National Response Framework.
“Participating in these exercises strengthens our operational capabilities and reinforces our ties with allied nations like the United States. It helps us protect a vital trade route, the Panama Canal, against potential threats, while also providing valuable tools to engage and educate the public through our citizen participation department,” the PNP told Diálogo in a statement.
U.S. Army Captain Luis Jimenez, the bilateral affairs officer stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Panama, emphasized the collaborative nature of the exercise, particularly the close coordination with SINAPROC. “They are the ones who get that phone call and lead the coordination,” Capt. Jimenez said, underscoring the importance of aligning response efforts, mobilization strategies, and life-saving measures, especially in a country like Panama, where the geography presents unique challenges. “With two oceanic coastlines and dense jungle terrain, Panama’s environment adds layers of complexity. Every agency brings something different to the table to meet those challenges.”
The MONG and its Panama’s partners have more than 10 joint engagements planned for 2025. Now nearing its 30th anniversary, this partnership reflects the enduring strength and evolving scope of bilateral cooperation.
From life-saving medical missions and vital community infrastructure to critical Canal security and advanced disaster preparedness, the U.S.-Panama partnership stands as a comprehensive model of collaboration. Its shared commitment, built on mutual trust and over a century of cooperation, continues to evolve, addressing the most pressing challenges facing Panama and fostering stability and prosperity across the region for years to come.
