The Canal's strategic importance in global trade has grown to such levels that 21 countries engage in military exercises to defend it. The latest addition is Germany, which joins the countries that participate in the Panamax exercises, intended to prepare military forces to combat diverse threats against the Panama Canal.

The widening of the Canal, currently underway, increases its importance for international commerce, and motivates nations, especially those from the American continent, to take action to ensure its normal operation.

This waterway linking the Pacific and Atlantic oceans is the largest agglomeration of sea routes, making it difficult to discuss any logistical issue without considering it. If it didn’t exist, it would be being built, either in its current location or in another one.

Panamax 2010, a series of military exercises simulating a potential defense of the Canal from a terrorist strike, will take place from August 15 to 27. The participating nations are Germany, Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the United States and Uruguay.

More on this topic

Tender: Security Services for $3 million

May 2016

The Costa Rican Institute of Aqueducts and Sewers is putting out to tender security services and monitoring in the central eastern region.

Costa Rica Government Purchase 2016LN-000006-PRI:

"Security and surveillance services are required in the midwestern region at the following locations:

Tender: Telematic People Monitoring for $10 million

April 2015

The Ministry of Public Security in Panama is putting out to tender services and equipment for the management and operation of telematic tracking of people.

Panama Government Purchase 2015-0-18-01-08-AV-022 551:

"ACQUISITION OF SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT FOR MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF TELEMATIC MONITORING OF PEOPLE."

Tender For Surveillance System for $1.9 million

January 2014

The Ministry of Health in Panama is putting out to tender the supply and implementation of a security and video surveillance system in several buildings.

Panama Government Purchase 2014-0-12-0-08-010744-AV:

"SUPPLY, INSTALLATION, CONFIGURATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A SECURITY AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM IN MOH BUILDINGS 237,238,240,253,255,261 AND 265."

El Salvador: 20% Less Spending on Private Security

May 2009

The private security services sector registered an $18 to $20 million decrease in sales in the last year.

The chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of El Salvador, Jorge Daboub, indicated in an article in Elsalvador.com that businesses were spending about $600 million a year before the economic crisis.