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 White House has instructed the U.S. military to draft options for increasing the American troop presence in Panama

Donald Trump has said repeatedly that he wants to “take back” the Panama Canal but has not offered specifics about how he would do so. Here is an explanation of the history and laws governing the critical waterway.

The Panama Canal, a vital global waterway, is at the heart of recent political rhetoric by Donald Trump, who claims an intention to reclaim U.S. control. Although Trump cites issues such as excessive tolls and Chinese influence,

Donald Trump wants to take back the Panama Canal from Panama but has not given specific details on his plans. He claims excessive tolls are charged for U.S. ships and that China controls the canal. Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino denies the canal is being reclaimed.

The White House has asked the United States military to draw up plans for how it might seize the Panama Canal “by force,” a bombshell report revealed Thursday. The alleged directive comes a week after President Donald Trump told lawmakers in his joint address to Congress he would be “reclaiming” the vital waterway to “further enhance our national security.