There's no way that Panama is not preparing on sabotaging the canal. Yes, it can be repaired, but it'll probably take a year. And I'm sure that having the Panama Canal down for a year won't affect the American economy (nevermind the rest of the world's.)

Also, this article is clearly a "Diplomacy Through Media" article, with the intent of letting Panama know of the "options" they have, a) more US troops in Panama asserting some control over the canal, b) US Troops in Panama with complete control over the canal or c) US troops in Panama overthrowing the government and taking over the canal. What options!

But again, this seems like an intentional leak from the White House to put pressure on the Panamanian government. And like all things trump white house, it's heavy handed, unsubtle, and poorly done.

But now the Trump sycophants will come out and tell us how this is 4D Chess. At the same time screaming: Break up NATO! Stop supporting Ukraine! No more world police! No more foreign wars!

Yay America, well done in electing this a-hole.

( Except Panama, Greenland and Canada!)