US embassy denies report of 600 troops being sent to Panama

The US embassy in Panama on October 14 rejected a New York Times report that 600 American troops were being sent to the country. The embassy said 120 US military personnel were in Panama for a two-week training course.

Citing US military officials, the newspaper reported that several hundred soldiers had begun deploying to Latin America as Washington expanded its campaign against drug trafficking. Its account referred to 600 personnel heading to Panama and plans for exercises with forces in Colombia and Honduras.

The embassy denied that such a contingent was being sent. It said 120 American military personnel were undertaking jungle training in coordination with Panamanian authorities.

The diplomatic mission also said the training centre had been operating for more than a year. According to the embassy statement reported by EFE, course participants are scheduled to return to the United States on October 25.