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 U.S. military must work to provide options to ensure the United States has full access to the Panama Canal, two U.S. officials told Reuters on Thursday.

President Donald Trump reportedly instructed the U.S. military to draw up plans to increase U.S. troop presence in the Panama