The United States is launching an $8 million project to replace Chinese telecommunications infrastructure at 13 sites in Panama with American technology, the U.S. Embassy in Panama announced Wednesday, according to Florida Politics.
Led by Ambassador Kevin Marino Cabrera and in partnership with Panama’s Ministry of Public Security, the effort will span two years and include the construction of seven new communications towers across four provinces. The initiative is part of a broader U.S. “Rip and Replace” campaign aimed at phasing out Huawei and ZTE equipment over national security concerns.
The telecommunications upgrade is designed to boost Panama’s capacity to combat organized crime, drug and human trafficking, and reinforce U.S.-Panama security ties. It also reflects growing U.S. efforts to counter Chinese influence in the strategically vital Panama Canal region.
Ambassador Cabrera, recently confirmed to his post, has called out China’s expanding presence in Panama as a key security concern and pledged to strengthen bilateral cooperation to safeguard regional stability and communications sovereignty, Florida Politics reported.
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