The President of Panama says the Panama Canal is not for sale. What do you know about the history and condition of the canal?

President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly suggested that the United States would take control of the Panama Canal, a shipping waterway that passes through Central America, unless fees for using the canal are reduced.

Panama’s leader responded in a recent statement, saying the shipping waterway is not for sale. Since then, Trump has repeatedly posted comments about the channel.

This is the latest in a series of similar statements by Trump, who recently suggested the US Capture of GreenlandAnd the idea is too It floated during his first presidency. He also joked about Canada Being an American state.

Here’s what to know about the history of the Panama Canal and U.S. involvement in the shipping lane.

History of the Panama Canal

The United States built the Panama Canal between 1904 and 1913, and it opened in 1917. Building the canal cost about $375 million, making it the most expensive construction project in the history of the United States at that time, according to Panama Canal Authority. The canal connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, providing ships with a shortcut around the tip of South America. The canal revolutionized shipping traffic in the region.

The United States obtained the rights to build and operate the canal in the early 20th century, but at the time, Panama was in the process of seceding from Colombia, whose Senate was refusing to ratify a treaty that would allow the canal to be built, according to the British newspaper “Daily Mail”. to Office of the Historian of the Department of State.

To ensure that the canal can be built earlier President Theodore Roosevelt It supported Panama’s independence, and in 1903, the United States and Panama signed a treaty that established permanent rights for the United States in the “Panama Canal Zone” that ran through the country. However, the person who negotiated on behalf of Panama did not have official approval from the country’s government and had not lived in the country for 17 years, leading many Panamanians to question the validity of the treaty, according to the historian’s office.

Throughout the 20th century, the United States and Panama dealt with tensions surrounding the canal, including riots in the 1960s that led to a brief break in diplomatic relations between the two countries. In 1967, the United States and Panama began negotiating a new treaty, eventually reaching an agreement, but a change in elected leaders and a coup in Panama led to the creation of a new government in the Central American country, according to the historian’s office. . For this reason, “the negotiations suffered a major setback.”

Negotiations continued throughout the 1970s. When Jimmy Carter was elected president, he made concluding the negotiating process a priority, according to the historian’s office. In 1977, two treaties were submitted to the US Senate: the Neutrality Treaty, which stipulated that the United States could use its military to defend the canal, allowing “perpetual American use” of the waterway, and the Panama Canal Treaty, which would end the canal’s existence. The Panama Canal Zone and allowing the canal to be handed over to Panama in December 1999. As part of the second treaty, Panama would also become primarily responsible for the defense of the canal.

Treaties, collectively known as Torrijos-Carter TreatiesThey were signed on September 7, 1977. In the spring of 1978, the US Senate voted to ratify the treaties, and Carter signed them into law on September 27, 1979. The canal was created He was transferred to Panama On December 31, 1999, During the Clinton administration.

Who runs the Panama Canal?

The Panama Canal has been owned and operated by the Panama Canal Authority, a government-owned agency, since 1999. The agency was established shortly before the canal was returned to Panama.

Since taking control of the waterway, the Panama Canal Authority has invested billions in expanding the canal. A $5.25 billion expansion of the canal opened in 2016, doubling the waterway’s capacity and reducing global maritime costs by an estimated $8 billion annually. CBS News previously reported. Expansion is also allowed Passage of large ships.

Who uses the Panama Canal?

About 40% of the world’s cargo ship traffic passes through the Panama Canal, CBS News previously reportedAlthough recent droughts have forced operators to reduce ship crossings.

About two-thirds of the canal’s traffic either heads to or departs from the United States, although ships from around the world use the waterway every day, according to Panama Canal Authority.

The agency said that between 13,000 and 14,000 ships use the canal every year.

Clashes between Trump and the President of Panama

Trump initially appeared to suggest the United States should seize the Panama Canal at some point Truth is social sharing On December 21st.

He also raised the issue before a crowd of supporters at Turning Point’s AmericaFest On Sunday, he said Panama was charging “exorbitant prices” and said the “complete theft of our country will stop immediately.”

“If the moral and legal principles of this generous gesture are not followed, we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America, in its entirety, quickly and without question,” Trump said.

Trump said on Wednesday will be nominated Miami-Dade International Trade Association member Kevin Marino Cabrera will serve as U.S. ambassador to Panama. In that advertisementHe accused Panama of “tearing us apart in the Panama Canal, far beyond their wildest dreams.”

Trump has continued to post online about the US taking back ownership of the channel, and referenced the channel in a Christmas Day message shared on TruthSocial. He warned of China’s possible influence in the navigational waterway, despite the fact that there is no Chinese presence in the canal, according to what he said Reuters. Reuters said that a Hong Kong-based company operates two ports along the canal.

Panama President Jose Raul Molino said in a Joint statement on social media And that “every square meter” of the canal “returns to Panama and will remain Panama’s.”

“We’ll see about that!” Trump Books online In response.