U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, announced on Thursday the revival of the U.S. Army's jungle warfare training in Panama. This announcement, made through a post on X that quickly garnered over 213,000 views, comes at a time of heightened diplomatic and military pressure on Havana.
"The legendary U.S. Army jungle training has returned to Panama," Hegseth stated, sharing an article from Infantry magazine authored by Colonel Keith W. Benedict and Captain Christian M. Hert.
The announcement does not specify any direct operations against Cuba or any other nation. Instead, its aim is to demonstrate that the U.S. military is regaining operational capabilities in tropical environments, which had been sidelined following two decades of conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Resuming jungle training in Panama honors the past by acknowledging lessons learned during World War II and Vietnam, and will aid soldiers, both individually and perhaps soon in units, to prepare for combat in any environment," the article highlights.
A Resurrected Training Program After a Quarter Century
The Jungle Operations Training Course (JOTC-P) is conducted at the Cristóbal Colón Naval Air Station, formerly Fort Sherman, on Panama's Caribbean coast. The program was reactivated in 2025 after a 25-year hiatus.
The original school operated from 1951 and trained approximately 9,000 soldiers annually before closing in 1999 following the Torrijos-Carter Treaties.
Hegseth formalized the return of the course through a memorandum of understanding signed in April 2025 during the Central America Security Conference. The program spans 18 days and is divided into three phases:
- Jungle survival with Panamanian instructors
- Small unit tactics with American instructors
- A final exercise known as the "Green Mile"
Strategic Shift in U.S. Military Focus
In December 2025, the Army signaled another institutional shift by closing FORSCOM, its largest territorial command, and activating the U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command (USAWHC), a new four-star command focusing exclusively on the Western Hemisphere.
Both measures suggest that Washington is deliberately rebuilding its capabilities to operate in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Heightened Pressure on Havana
This showcase of military capabilities occurs amidst ongoing tension between Washington and Havana. President Donald Trump remarked in a Fox News interview, "I have my eyes on Cuba. Many things are going to happen in Cuba in perhaps the next two months."
Trump also indicated that military action on the island "wouldn't be difficult" for the United States, though he clarified it is not seen in the same light as the Venezuelan situation.
According to a CBS News investigation, Pentagon planners evaluated military options against Cuba in late June, including an airborne assault led by the 101st Airborne Division.
Interim Pentagon spokesperson Joel Valdez briefly commented, "We do not comment on hypothetical military operations." Officials cited by the outlet clarified that an armed action is unlikely in the short term, as offensive capabilities remain focused on the Middle East.
The Cuban regime reacted strongly. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla accused Washington of waging a "psychological war" through alleged media leaks, warning that an attack on Cuba "would provoke a bloodbath."
Frequently Asked Questions About U.S. Military Moves in Latin America
What is the purpose of the U.S. reviving jungle warfare training in Panama?
The revival of jungle warfare training aims to restore the U.S. military's operational capabilities in tropical environments, which had diminished after years of focusing on conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
How has the Cuban government reacted to the U.S. military's actions?
The Cuban government has reacted strongly, with Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla accusing the U.S. of conducting a psychological war and warning that any attack on Cuba would result in significant bloodshed.