The Pentagon frames the actions as cooperative, yet critics argue they could strain ties with nations wary of external involvement. Panama’s president confirmed the activities target no specific neighbor, though they coincide with U.S. naval deployments in the area. American forces have resumed operations at Fort Sherman in Panama, a site dormant since the U.S. handed over the Panama Canal Zone in 1999. Eight warships and aircraft now patrol the Caribbean, with Panama and Puerto Rico providing key logistics. The base, once central to Caribbean operations, was closed in 2004. The closure was amid local opposition to bombing runs on Vieques that caused environmental damage and health issues. Analysts note the buildup echoes Cold War postures, raising concerns over national autonomy not only here in Costa Rica but all of Latin America. Leaders there discussed reinstating a U.S. air base at Manta, which American forces left in 2009 after a constitutional ban on foreign militaries. President Daniel Noboa backed the idea for anti-drug efforts, but citizens voted against it yesterday. U.S. officials operate from five sites across the island, including the José Aponte de la Torre Airport, as part of a strategy to monitor nearby waters. These steps show U.S. priorities in curbing narcotics flows and responding to Venezuelan instability. Puerto Rican groups protest the revival, citing risks of the territory serving as a staging point for actions against Venezuela. Troops arrived last week for joint exercises with Panamanian units, focusing on ground maneuvers in the jungle. In Puerto Rico, the Roosevelt Roads Naval Station in Ceiba has reopened after two decades offline. Now, construction teams have resurfaced runways and expanded facilities, enabling air and sea missions. The drills build on a bilateral security pact that allows shared training to combat threats like organized crime. The rejection halts U.S. access, though some training agreements remain in place. Ecuador presented a different outcome.
