Title 22, Foreign Relations and IntercourseRelease 119-102
§3618 Defense of Panama Canal
Title 22 › CHAPTER 51 — PANAMA CANAL › SUBCHAPTER I — ADMINISTRATION AND REGULATIONS › Part 1 — Panama Canal Commission › § 3618
Summary
If the Panama Canal is attacked or the President thinks it's threatened, the President can order the Administrator to obey the U.S. military officer's necessary orders.
Full Legal Text
Title 22, §3618
Foreign Relations and Intercourse, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
In the event of an armed attack against the Panama Canal, or when, in the opinion of the President, conditions exist which threaten the security of the Canal, the Administrator of the Commission shall, upon the order of the President, comply with such directives as the United States military officer charged with the protection and defense of the Panama Canal may consider necessary in the exercise of his duties.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
22 U.S.C. § 3618
Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102