patrick.net

All my sources on the U.S. and the Panama Canal are lighting up. Rumors are
@marcorubio
might make a major announcement later this week.

The real question: Why is the Trump administration SO focused on it? And what’s the missing link (cough UN) connecting shipping, canal security, Chinese influence, migration, and fentanyl?

Suez was a British-French thing, nothing to do with us.

The US has pressured the UK to give it up.

Eric Holder says

The US has pressured the UK to give it up.

Yes, after the UK welched about turning it over.

BTW, that move got the Soviets a door into Egypt.

El Servicio de Starlink Está Suspendido

El Gobierno de Panamá ha ordenado a todos los
proveedores de servicios de internet suspender
temporalmente el servicio en su región. La orden
gubernamental requiere que todos los servicios se
desactiven de inmediato y hasta al menos el 25 de julio.
Haremos todo lo posible para restablecer su servicio lo
antes posible.

Toda la facturación ha sido pausada y no se reanudará
hasta que se restablezca el servicio. Si actualmente está
esperando un pedido o tiene otras preguntas, por favor
contáctese con Soporte.

El Equipo de Starlink

Starlink Service Suspended

The Government of Panama has ordered all internet service providers to temporarily suspend service in their region. The government mandate requires all services to be deactivated immediately until at least July 25. We will do everything possible to restore your service as soon as we can.

All billing has been paused and will not resume until service is restored. If you are currently awaiting an order or have other questions, please contact Support.

— The Starlink Team

Panama Declares State Of Emergency In Banana-Producing Region

The Panamanian government over the weekend suspended key constitutional rights in the western province of Bocas del Toro following two months of anti-government protests over pension reform that turned violent late last week, the Associated Press reported.

The five-day emergency declaration will restrict the right to assemble and freedom of movement in the banana-producing region.

Panama has been grappling with mass demonstrations since March when the government passed a controversial pension reform measure that critics say slashes worker protections and social security guarantees.

The unrest has been particularly intense in Bocas del Toro, with protests largely led by workers at a local banana plantation of multinational giant, Chiquita.

On Thursday, violence erupted in the provincial city of Changuinola after masked individuals breached the local airport, looted an office and warehouse belonging to Chiquita, vandalized vehicles from rental companies, and partially set fire to the city’s baseball stadium.

At least one person died and around 30 people were injured, including police officers.

On Friday, Presidential Minister Juan Carlos Orillac described the state of emergency as necessary to “rescue” the province from “radical groups.” He condemned the overnight destruction as “unacceptable and not representative of legitimate protest.”

American Attack Submarine Crossing Panama Canal
USS Toledo (SSN 769)

This attack submarine just finished crossing into Pacific about an hour ago. No OPSEC issues — this is done in clear view of thousands of “everybody” and tourists.

The Toledo passed right by the two China-operated Hutchison ports. And just by the China bridge under construction.

Panama Canal is absolutely vital for US national security.

Panama -- Greatly Increased US Military Activity

Much US military air traffic coming and going to old Howard Air Force base -- including C-5 traffic. Today, for instance, 2x C-5s and 1x USAF VIP 737. One of the C5s is replacing engine the other C-5 one just left.