Potential plans range from partnering more closely with Panamanian security forces to a less likely option of U.S. troops' seizing the canal by force, U.S. officials told NBC News.

President Donald Trump's White House has reportedly asked the United States military to draw up plans to a military operation to retake the Panama Canal. According to NBC News' sources, "U.S. Southern Command is developing potential plans that vary from partnering more closely with the Panamanian military to the less likely option of U.

American access to the Panama Canal, one of several new directives outlined in what amounts to a major overhaul of US strategic priorities, according to a new memo that was sent to senior leaders and reviewed by CNN.