The history of the US and the Panama Canal and why Trump says he's "going to bring it back"

The history of the US and the Panama Canal and why Trump says he's "going to bring it back" Panama has had full sovereignty over the interoceanic canal that runs through that country for decades. President-elect Donald Trump is now talking about the US government trying to regain control of the canal. What do the agreements say about this possibility?

Since its opening in 1914, the Panama Canal has been of strategic importance to global trade routes and one of the key sources of income for the Panamanian government. However, control over this route was not always in the hands of local authorities.

The United States has had exclusive control over the Panama Canal for decades, due to its leading role in its construction. However, after the Torrijos-Carter agreement was signed in 1977, Washington ceded sovereignty over the canal to Panama, which residents of that country call a historic "turning point."

Trump is now questioning that. He suggested on Sunday that the new administration could try to regain control of the Panama Canal because of the "absurd" fees that ships pay to navigate the route.

What do history and agreements say?

The US government, under President Theodore Roosevelt, bought French property in the Panama Canal Zone for $1902 million in 40, when the territory was still part of Colombia.

After rejecting the proposal to build the canal, the United States supported the Panamanian secession movement and recognized the Republic of Panama as an independent country on November 6, 1903.

In the same year, on November 18, an agreement was signed that gave America ownership and control over the Panama Canal Zone and enabled its construction.

A decade later, the Panama Canal was officially opened. Its construction allowed ships to avoid sailing around South America or using the Panama Railroad to transport goods between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Dissatisfaction of the inhabitants of Panama

American control of the canal meant that much of Panama's territory was in the hands of a foreign government, causing discontent among the population.

Years of protests preceded the historic events of January 9, 1964, which is considered "Martyrs' Day" in Panama.

On that date, dozens of students came to the canal with the school flag, demanding that it be raised. However, they clashed with American soldiers and the flag was torn. Because of this, three days of riots followed, in which 21 people died.

Diplomatic relations between Washington and Panama were severed, leading to international pressure to start negotiations and sign a new agreement.

Torihos-Karter Agreements

On September 7, 1977, US President Jimmy Carter and Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos signed agreements that eventually led to the US ceding the canal to Panama.

Months earlier, Carter had led the battle in Congress to ratify the agreements, saying they were critical to "ensuring the continued effective use of the canal for American commercial and security needs."

According to the agreements, Panama allowed America to operate the canal until December 31, 1999. Since then, the canal has completely passed into the hands of the Panamanian authorities.

In a separate agreement, on the neutrality and operation of the Panama Canal, it was determined that the passage is an "inseparable part" of Panamanian territory and that it "shall be permanently neutral."

The agreements are protected by international law, so it is not known how Trump would try to take over territory already given to Panama.

The United States remains the main user of the Panama Canal, according to local authorities, accounting for nearly 67 percent of the total cargo transported through the route.

Rejecting Trump's messages

Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino rejected Trump's statements about the possible return of control over the canal as a violation of his country's sovereignty.

Mulino said in the video that "every square meter of the Panama Canal and the surrounding area belongs to Panama and that will continue to be the case."

Trump later responded to it on his Truth Social network.

"We'll see!".

He also posted a picture of the American flag in the canal area with the message: "Welcome to Canal USA".

Colombian President Gustavo Petro also dismissed Trump's messages, saying Trump "made a mistake and contradicted himself." Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized that "the Panama Canal belongs to the people of Panama."

Colombian President Gustavo Petro also dismissed Trump's messages, saying Trump "made a mistake and contradicted himself." Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized that "the Panama Canal belongs to the people of Panama."