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.

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.

President Trump announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will oversee efforts to regain U.S. control of the Panama Canal. While praising Rubio as "amazing," Trump also joked that he would be the one to blame if anything goes wrong.