The Pentagon has initiated the deployment of conventional ground forces to Panama for jungle training, marking the first such operation in over 20 years. U.S. soldiers and Marines are participating in a three-week course at Base Aeronaval Cristóbal Colón, previously known as Fort Sherman. This training program, which has been dubbed the "Green Hell" due to its challenging conditions reminiscent of Vietnam, began earlier this year and is expected to expand in the coming months.

A defense official stated that the training is not aimed at preparing troops for any specific mission, including potential operations in Venezuela. However, the renewed focus on jungle warfare in Latin America is significant, especially in light of the Trump administration's increased attention to the region. Since taking office, President Trump has expressed intentions to "take back" the Panama Canal and has made threats against Venezuela regarding its alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

The defense official explained, "If you can train and fight in one of the most difficult and challenging locations in the world, you build a really lethal, effective force." Alex Plitsas, a former Pentagon official, noted that while the training course is unlikely to directly support operations in Venezuela, it aims to enhance Panama's ability to address regional security threats. He remarked, "It's an expansion of an existing military relationship, but it's not happening in a vacuum. There's a renewed interest in South America, where the president sees the drug flow to the United States as a national security issue with the intention of potential military action."

Since the events of September 11, 2001, jungle training has not been a priority for the U.S. military, which shifted its focus to counterterrorism efforts in the Middle East. In recent years, the Defense Department has relied on a smaller Army jungle training center in Hawaii and a Marine Corps site in Okinawa, Japan. During the Vietnam War, Fort Sherman was a key location for troops to develop jungle survival skills before deployment.

The training site in Panama is known for its harsh conditions, including venomous snakes and dense vegetation that complicates communication and evacuation efforts. The U.S. military's presence in Panama ended in 1999 when control of the Panama Canal was transferred to the Panamanian government. However, Trump has since shown renewed interest in the region, framing U.S. involvement as a partnership with Panama to counter Chinese influence over the canal, which is vital for U.S. shipping.

Under Trump's leadership, the U.S. has significantly increased its military presence in the region, deploying 10,000 troops and the USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest aircraft carrier in the world. This military buildup appears to be part of a strategy to apply pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

As of August, the military established the "Combined Jungle Operations Training Course," which includes training for both Marines and Panamanian forces. A military spokesperson reported that 46 individuals have graduated from the course, comprising 18 Marines, one Army soldier, and 27 personnel from Panama's National Aeronaval Service, National Border Service, and National Police. The Army plans to increase training efforts over the next year, with plans to send platoons of approximately 40 soldiers at a time.

Steve Ganyard, a retired Marine Corps colonel, commented on the practical aspects of the renewed interest in Panama, stating, "From a practical perspective, it's easier to get to Panama than Okinawa. And the jungles of Central and South America have their own unique challenges. That said, no doubt a message is being sent to Maduro by conducting combat training in his neighborhood."