US-Panama-led military exercises to capture boat threatening canal

The U.S. and Panama are co-leading PANAMAX 2026, a multinational military exercise running from August 3 to 13. The drills involve 1,700 personnel practicing coordinated maritime, air, and ground defense operations to protect the Panama Canal from simulated security threats and hostile craft. Focus includes countering asymmetric and terror threats, vessel interdiction, and keeping the shipping lane open.