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.

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.

NBC News has reported that the Trump administration has asked the US military to draw plans to “reclaim” Panama Canal and Southern Command has been tasked with this. The exact meaning of the world “reclaim” remains unclear.