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.

The United States military is reportedly drawing up plans to increase American troop presence in Panama at the direction of the White House – part of President Donald Trump’s goal to “take back” the Panama Canal.

The White House has directed the U.S. military to draw up options for increasing the American troop presence in Panama to achieve President Trump’s goal of “reclaiming” the Panama Canal, according to two U.