PHOTO COLLECTION: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in Panama

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Panama Canal Authority Administrator Ricaurte Vasquez, left, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, center, and Southcom Commander Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey pose for a photo during a tour of the Panama Canal’s Miraflores Locks, in Panama City, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, right, and Panama Canal Authority Administrator Ricaurte Vasquez, second from right, cross a bridge during a tour of the Panama Canal’s Miraflores Locks in Panama City, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, left, chats with Panama Canal Authority Administrator Ricaurte Vasquez, center, and Southcom Commander Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey during a tour of the Panama Canal’s Miraflores Locks in Panama City, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, fourth from left, and Panama Canal Authority Administrator Ricaurte Vasquez wave to workers on a boat during a tour of the Panama Canal’s Miraflores Locks in Panama City, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, center, walks with Panama Canal Authority Administrator Ricaurte Vasquez during a tour of the Panama Canal’s Miraflores Locks in Panama City, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino, left, shakes hand with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at an agreement signing ceremony in Panama City, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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Panamanian Security Minister Frank Abrego, left, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, center, and Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino attend a signing ceremony in Panama City, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, right, signs a document next to Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino in Panama City, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, accompanied by Public Security Minister Frank Abrego, speaks during a press conference in Panama City, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a press conference in Panama City, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks at Port of Rodman in West Panama, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks at Port of Rodman in West Panama, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth tours Port of Rodman in West Panama, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, center, Panamanian Security Minister Frank Abrego, left, and Southcom Commander Navy Adm. Alvin Holsey inaugurate new facilities at the Port of Rodman in West Panama, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks with U.S. troops in Port of Rodman, West Panama, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks with U.S. troops after a joint drill with Panamanian forces at the Port of Rodman in West Panama, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a press conference in Panama City, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during the Central American Security Conference in Panama City, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during the Central American Security Conference in Panama City, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth speaks during the Central American Security Conference in Panama City, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth leaves the stage after speaking at the Central American Security Conference in Panama City, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth waves to the press as he stands with Panamanian Security Minister Frank Abrego before meeting with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino at the presidential palace in Panama City, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Agustin Herrera)

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U.S. and Panamanian military patrol the Panama Canal during a joint drill held as U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visits the Port of Rodman in West Panama, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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A cargo ship is loaded at the Port of Rodman in West Panama during the visit of U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the Panama Canal, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

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U.S. military take part in a joint drill with Panamanian troops at the Panama Canal during the visit of U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to the Port of Rodman in West Panama, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)