Panamanians Want To Remind The World That The Panama Canal Belongs To Them

In light of Trump’s recent comments, Panama wants to remind the world that the Panama Canal belongs to them and is not for sale. On January 9th, Panamanians honored the anniversary of the uprising against U.S. control of the Panama Canal, known as Martyrs’ Day. Marches took place, where the people also announced that the canal will remain theirs in the future. Trump claims that the Chinese are controlling the canal, and hasn’t ruled out using military or economic force to take it back for the United States. In reality, China has no control over the canal, and while a Hong Kong-based company manages two of the ports, it is still subject to Panamanian authority. Fees to use the canal are calculated based on weight and size, not preference to certain countries.

Many people asserted their nationalist feelings on Martyrs’ Day. Sebastian Quioroz, an 84-year-old who took part in the original Martyrs’ Day protests in 1964, said to Reuters that the day reminds “the world that Panama is sovereign and the canal is ours.” In a Guardian article, Isabel Corror pointed out that “the world is not some big flea market. It should not happen and we will not let it happen.” Trump has made similarly troubling comments regarding the possible annexation of Greenland and Canada. In the same Guardian article, Orlando Perez of the University of North Texas brought up how the government of Panama has kept the canal “free of corruption, transparent, independent of government interference.”

Trump’s comments are particularly worrisome to Panamanians who remember their bloody history with U.S. interference. In 1964, American forces fired on mass demonstrations of students protesting U.S. control of the canal. This was the original Martyrs’ Day, when the violence killed over twenty Panamanians and four American soldiers. Then in 1989, the U.S. invaded Panama City with 10,000 troops to oust president Manuel Noriega after he was revealed to be a drug kingpin. This caused hundreds of civilian deaths. Former president Jimmy Carter’s administration negotiated the Torrijos-Carter Treaties in 1977, which returned the canal’s control to Panama in 1999.

Historically, U.S. intervention in Latin America has caused a significant amount of violence, making Trump’s comments about possibly trying to retake the canal all the more concerning. There is no evidence of unfair advantages or disadvantages given to any country, including the U.S. or China. Using these false claims to justify imperialist policies can only lead to more violence. Trump and his incoming administration need to stop making inflammatory comments about other countries’ sovereign territories, since it could risk the United States’ relationship with allies. Such remarks could also backfire on American companies for whom the Panama Canal is a crucial transit point. Overall, these comments do not follow American principles of freedom and sovereignty, and can only cause trouble if continued.

The Panama Canal is an example of how mutual trust and cooperation can lead to benefits for all countries. However, if leaders begin to unnecessarily question other countries’ operations or make comments intended to aggravate them, it is the perfect kindling for tension and conflict. Respecting Panama’s rights to the canal – especially since they have operated it successfully for over two decades – is the best way to ensure that everyone can continue to use it peacefully and fairly.

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