In early April, Panama City served as the backdrop for regional and binational security meetings, underscoring Panama’s strategic role for the safety of the Americas. Defense and security leaders gathered for the Central American Security Conference (CENTSEC), a U.S. Southern Command- (SOUTHCOM) sponsored event co-hosted by Panama’s Public Security Ministry, April 8-10. Concurrently, Panama and the United States, represented by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, expanded their partnership aimed at securing the Panama Canal and countering foreign actors and transnational crime.
“Security is a regional responsibility, beyond borders, doctrines, and languages,” said Panama’s Security Minister Frank Ábrego, during his opening remarks for CENTSEC. “The challenges already go beyond these borders and transnational criminal groups move fast, threatening our critical infrastructure, creating disinformation campaigns that threaten our democracies, and this forces us to work together to combat them.”
U.S. Navy Admiral Alvin Holsey, SOUTHCOM commander, welcomed participants, reminding them of the importance of collaboration. “The reality of our current threats is that they cannot be addressed by one nation. We must all shoulder the weight. Together, we’ll bolster our partnerships, increase cooperation, coordination, and interoperability across the conflict spectrum in all domains,” he said.
Hegseth’s attendance to CENTSEC, the first Defense Secretary to do, served as a testament to the importance of this event and the region. “We are going to increase cooperation to deter threats, to seize opportunities to bolster our shared defense. That’s what CENTSEC Panama 2025 is all about — friends standing shoulder to shoulder with friends.”
CENTSEC 25 brought together Belize, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, and the United States to discuss combined efforts to address shared challenges. Observers from Canada, Colombia, France, Mexico, the Netherlands, as well as regional organizations and institutions, such as the Coordination Center for the Prevention of Disasters in Central America and the Dominican Republic (CEPREDENAC), the Inter-American Defense Board (IADB), the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC), and the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies also joined the event.
Gaining ground
Prior to delving into this year’s topics, CENTSEC participants reviewed last year’s edition, highlighting advances in border security, the fight against transnational criminal organizations, and cyber defense. “Central American nations have made significant progress in cybersecurity, although with differences in level of maturity, technical capabilities, and regulatory frameworks,” said Major General Hermelindo Choz Soc, chief of the Guatemalan National Defense Staff. “Regional cooperation and the support of international partners have been key to dealing with incidents and building capacity.”
Costa Rica reported continued progress in the development of a cybersecurity center following the 2022 attack that paralyzed critical government infrastructure. Panama indicated a strengthening of its interagency communications through its cyber intelligence division and the recruitment of specialized talent. Honduras outlined ongoing efforts on the implementation of a financial monitoring and control center, as well as the development of a national cybersecurity strategy. El Salvador announced the establishment of a cyber incident response unit. Lastly, Guatemala presented the draft of its Guatemalan Army’s Cyber Defense Doctrine manual, which is in its final review stage.
The value of regional collaboration
CENTSEC’s first session kicked off addressing combined operations and disaster response, underscoring collaboration and interagency cooperation as crucial for effective results. The Salvadoran delegation shared results of their operations on the high seas, including the seizure of narcotics, capture of human traffickers, and irregular migration interruption. “Every gram of cocaine that we seize, we support the international community, and we are saving lives,” said Vice Admiral Exon Oswaldo Ascencio, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Salvadoran Armed Forces, as he addressed their counternarcotics efforts.
For his part, Dominican Defense Minister Lieutenant General Carlos Fernández Onofre emphasized the value of international regional cooperation, citing the Santo Domingo nightclub roof collapse on April 8, as an example where pre-existing agreements facilitated rapid response in rescue efforts from the Puerto Rico National Guard and Mexican brigades.
Focusing then on cyber defense and critical infrastructure, participants studied the scope of Chinese and Russian hacking groups, highlighting the importance of strengthening the technology of counterintelligence units and developing action plans. Panama’s Security Ministry Head of Cybersecurity Luis Esparza shared progress made in this field.
“Today we face threats from advanced and persistent groups, often attributed to attacks from enemy nations and ideologically motivated activists”, he said, before addressing lessons learned in attacks on oil pipelines and water treatment plants. “Imagine now what well-directed attacks on power plants, for example, could do: They could render the entire region inoperable, affecting the electrical system, not only of Panama, but of all of Central America, and even reaching as far as the United States.”
CENTSEC 25 closed with a common understanding that regional collaboration is key for the security of the hemisphere. “We are going to move with purpose and precision, working shoulder to shoulder to guarantee the constant security of our Western Hemisphere,” Adm. Holsey said in his closing remarks. “I want to thank you for your commitment and effort; I want us to move forward and take action, with and for our allies and partners.”
Recognition and strengthened bonds
Following the event, Adm. Holsey awarded the Legion of Merit to Commissioner Jorge Gobea, outgoing director general of Panama’s National Border Service (SENAFRONT), for his 30 years of service. The prestigious military decoration is bestowed for exceptional service and achievement.
During CENTSEC, Defense Secretary Hegseth announced an expanded U.S.-Panama partnership to secure the Panama Canal and counter “China’s malign influence.” Panama’s Security Minister Ábrego and Hegseth signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a framework for cooperative security activities in Panama and facilitating joint training with Panamanian security forces.
During his three-day visit, Hegseth also inaugurated Pier 3 at Vasco Nuñez de Balboa Naval Base, which was refurbished by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers thanks to a $5 million support. “This pier, Pier 3, tangibly represents America and Panama’s shared commitment to the canal’s security,” Hegseth said during the pier dedication. “These needed infrastructure improvements revitalize this historic facility and strengthen maritime security both in the canal and into the Pacific Ocean.”
“We are proud of our shared history and excited for our shared future,” Hegseth concluded. “Returning Pier 3 to service today shows how we will continue to work together to secure and preserve that legacy.”
