Pete Hegseth’s motorcade stirred a cloud of dust around dozens of troops and border agents waiting in the desert to greet the new defense secretary. It was his first visit to the U.S-Mexico border and the 30-foot steel border fence loomed tall behind him as he shook hands.

Fort Bliss officials confirmed that U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was visiting the Borderland on Monday.

Panamanian Security Minister Frank Abrego confirmed the two had spoken on the phone on Tuesday in a post on X, adding he hoped to reach "important agreements" with Hegseth when he visits in April. The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.