U.S. President-elect Donald Trump threatens to strip Panama of its interoceanic canal if the Central American country does not reduce the fees it charges Washington for the use of the canal. teleSUR
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00And U.S. President-elect Donald Trump threatens to strip Panama of its interoceanic canal
00:05if the Central American country does not reduce the fees it charges Washington for the use
00:09of the canal.
00:11Trump issued a firm threat to Panama and the administration of the canal through a statement
00:15published on his social medias, arguing that former U.S. President Jimmy Carter gave the
00:19canal to Panama for $1 during his term.
00:22Through this intimidation, Trump seeks to strip Panama of the administration of this
00:26interoceanic waterway, considering the canal as a vital asset for the United States and
00:31qualifying the passage of the administration to Panamanian hands as an act of generosity
00:35by Washington.
00:36Trump also reiterated his government's interest in the operation of the Panama Canal, adding
00:40that they would not allow it to fall into the hands of others.
00:48For some context, it's important to note that the Panama Canal, established in 1903 through
00:53the Hay-Bunao-Varela Treaty, was a U.S. controlled territory that existed until 1979.
00:59Despite its strategic importance for global shipping, the canal soon became a point of
01:04contention between the U.S. and Panama, leading to growing nationalist sentiments among Panamanians.
01:10The Torrijos-Carter Treaties of 1977 initiated a gradual transfer of control back to Panama,
01:16culminating in full sovereignty by December 31, 1999.
01:20Today, the Panama Canal remains a crucial maritime route, having undergone expansions
01:24to accommodate larger vessels, while continuing to play a vital role in international trade.