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.

US Southern Command has been given proposals that include collaborating with the Panamanian military - and potentially seizing the canal by force if they don't co-operate

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