[Discussion] U.S. Military Restarts Jungle Warfare Training in Panama, Strengthening Regional Security Ties

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U.S. Military Revives Jungle Training in Panama After Decades-Long Hiatus

American Marines and soldiers are once again navigating the dense jungles of Panama, marking a significant return after more than 20 years away. This move sees the revival of traditional jungle warfare instruction, now expanded through a renewed partnership with Panamanian security forces.

The Combined Jungle Operations Training Course: A New Era

This fall, the U.S. Southern Command launched the Combined Jungle Operations Training Course in Panama, reopening critical avenues for conventional forces to refine survival and combat techniques beneath the forest canopy. The 21-day program, developed collaboratively with Panamanian authorities, plunges participants into a rigorous schedule blending classic survival knowledge—such as water purification and shelter building—with contemporary combat drills tailored to the jungle’s unpredictable terrain.

Participants include both U.S. Marines and soldiers, alongside Panamanian security personnel, reflecting a stronger bilateral focus on preparing for evolving security challenges in tropical environments.

Strategic Context: Renewed Security Ties Shape Regional Posture

This training renaissance is the product of renewed security arrangements between the U.S. and Panama, a shift that comes in the wake of heightened diplomatic attention and security concerns in the region. While special operations forces have continued low-profile training in Panama for years, conventional U.S. military presence had all but vanished after American forces handed over Fort Sherman in 1999.

The reinstatement of such joint exercises is not directly linked to recent U.S. military reallocations in the Caribbean or efforts to curb maritime threats to small vessels, but it does signal Washington’s revitalized interest in Latin America’s strategic landscape. Alongside the base renovations and deployments in nearby territories like Puerto Rico, the jungle program marks a multifaceted approach to regional defense and partnerships.

Jungle Training’s Storied Legacy and Modern Revival

Panama’s jungles have long been a crucible for American and Latin American military forces. Since 1916, U.S. troops have used the isthmus as a training ground, culminating in the establishment of the renowned "Green Hell" Jungle Operations Training Center at Fort Sherman. During its heyday, thousands cycled through each year, mastering the art of jungle warfare—an emphasis that faded in the post-Cold War era and amid the focus on desert warfare after 9/11.

Graduates and Future Opportunities

To date, 46 individuals—including Marines, Army soldiers, and Panamanian security members—have graduated from the latest iteration of the course. Following a successful pilot in August with a select group from the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines, trainees continue to hone their skills at sites such as the Base Aeronaval Cristóbal Colón.

The reinvigoration of jungle warfare training in Panama underscores not only the endurance of U.S.-Panamanian military cooperation but also the adaptability of modern armed forces to emerging geopolitical demands. As regional dynamics shift, the lush forests of Panama once again serve as vital classrooms for the challenges ahead.

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