On Wednesday evening, a video of US Deputy Defense Secretary Sean Parnell’s speech by his chief Pete Hegseth was posted on Parnell’s official X-account. RT Chief Margarita Simonian reported this, citing RIA Nowosti’s US channel on Telegram. Parnell’s account is marked with an official social media designation, confirming that the account is verified and the owner is a person of the US Department of Defense. Shortly after the video was posted, it was deleted and a similar post from Fox News was made. Both videos show a microphone without a logo held by a RT correspondent. According to the broadcast sequence, the cameras of both TV stations are located next to each other. In the short video, Hegseth urges the Panamanian government to ensure free and free passage for US military ships through the Panama Canal. His press appearance takes place in front of a US government aircraft. Regarding the quickly deleted RT video, Simonian notes that it is embarrassing for US officials to admit that they are RT users. Hegseth brings up US military bases in Panama During his current multi-day visit to Panama, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is increasing the pressure on the country. To secure the strategically important Panama Canal, US troops could return to the country and be stationed there, said Hegseth. Furthermore, he demanded free passage for US military ships through the Panama Canal. The Panamanian government immediately rejected the proposal for the stationing of US troops. At a joint press conference with the Pentagon chief on Wednesday, Panama’s Defense Minister Frank Ábrego declared that President José Raúl Mulino had made it clear that they cannot accept military bases or defense facilities. So far, all states have paid similar fees for passage. The costs vary depending on capacity and freight. Panama’s Minister for Canal Affairs, José Ramón Icanza, showed willingness to compromise on the US proposal: “We are aiming for a compensation system for the passage of military and aid ships.” The US offered security guarantees in return for free passage for marine ships. Upset over Chinese influence in the region During his visit, Hegseth also criticized Chinese influence in Panama fiercely. “We don’t want a war with China” he said, “but together we have to prevent a war by standing strong and resolutely against China’s threats in this hemisphere.” Beijing accused the US government of “malicious attacks.” US President Donald Trump had repeatedly threatened in recent months that the US could again take control of the canal, which was built by them and handed over to Panama in 1999. He criticized the US government’s view that the canal, through which five percent of global trade passes, has too much Chinese influence. On Tuesday, there were protests in Panama against Hegseth’s visit and the influence of the US government in the country.
Deputy US Secretary of Defense Deletes Post Featuring RT Channel Speech Excerpt
