The United States has repositioned military assets to support humanitarian relief efforts in Panama following Friday’s 7.5 magnitude earthquake, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth confirmed Saturday. The US military aid deployment comes under an expanded security cooperation framework with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino.
Hegseth announced the move on X, stating that assets were immediately relocated to assist with humanitarian relief operations. He did not specify which military resources were deployed or detail their operational scope within Panamanian territory.
Earthquake relief in Panama: In Panama today, U.S. military service members from Joint Security Group-Panama loaded thousands of pounds of relief supplies and equipment, including water and tents, onto trucks for delivery to areas affected by the earthquake. The @DeptofWar is supporting @StateDept-led U.S. disaster assistance to the people of Panama in the aftermath of the October 9, 2026, earthquake. The United States stands with the people of Panama. @USEmbPAN @WHAAsstSecty @SecWar @USForeignAssist @USAenEspanol
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) October 10, 2026
U.S. Military Aid Mobilization Details
The Pentagon’s response follows the earthquake that struck at 12:56 p.m. local time Friday, with its epicenter in Tonosí, Los Santos province. Preliminary damage assessments from Panama’s Emergency Operations Center indicate widespread destruction across multiple provinces.
Homes, schools, hospitals, churches, government buildings, and roadways sustained damage, according to civil protection officials. The full extent of casualties and infrastructure losses remains under evaluation as rescue teams continue assessments.
“Thanks to the expanded security cooperation between the War Department and President @JoseRaulMulino, we immediately repositioned military assets to assist Panama with humanitarian relief” [Translated from Spanish]
Hegseth extended solidarity with affected Panamanians, adding that Washington would maintain support for regional partners. “The United States will continue supporting our friends and partners in the Western Hemisphere,” he wrote.
Regional Response and Coordination
Panama’s Security Minister urged calm and vigilance as emergency protocols activated nationwide. The earthquake triggered panic, building evacuations, and structural assessments across interior provinces.
The seismic event ranked among the strongest recorded in Panama’s recent history. Local authorities prioritized verifying family safety and restoring essential services in hardest-hit communities.
Humanitarian Assistance Framework
The US military aid arrangement reflects deepening bilateral security ties between Washington and Panama City. While Hegseth’s announcement lacked specifics on asset types, the immediate mobilization signals a rapid-response posture under existing cooperation agreements.
Panamanian officials continue coordinating with international partners as damage assessments expand. The emergency response focuses on shelter, medical care, and infrastructure stabilization in affected zones.
Regional solidarity remains central to recovery planning, with neighboring countries monitoring developments and offering support channels through established humanitarian networks.