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This year marks a significant milestone for Panama while the nation celebrates 25 years since it took full control of the Panama channel. On December 31, 1999, the channel was officially transferred to Panama from the United States pursuant to the Torrijos-Carter Treaties signed in 1977. The historical transfer symbolized a triumph of sovereignty and national pride as a vital part of their identity and the economic backbone.
President José Raúl Mulino chaired the anniversary celebrations, underlining the importance of the channel for the sovereignty and development of Panama. In a shared message on social media, government officials reflected on the meaning of the occasion:
“This date represents the life, sacrifice and sovereignty of our nation. Today we celebrate a triumph that reaffirms our pride as a people. Long live our canal, our flag and our beloved Panama, sovereign and responsible for its destiny “, read the declaration.
Since he hired the operation of the channel, Panama has transformed it into one of the most critical maritime commercial paths in the world. In addition to its economic importance, the channel acts as a unifying symbol for pana -year -olds, embodying decades of determination and resilience.
Fruit Vásquez, administrator of the Panama Canal Authority (ACP), praised the transition of the channel to the Panamenne hands. “Our management has shown that it is efficient, adaptable and engaged in excellence, satisfying the needs of global trade, contributing significantly to the economic development of the nation,” he said, highlighting the professionalism and dedication of the panamans in maintaining this vital infrastructure .
The journey to sovereignty on the canal was not without challenges. The United States built the channel between 1904 and 1914 and controlled it for decades. Tensions have grown over time, culminating in the protests in 1964 which underlined Panama's demand for control over the navigable street. These events led to negotiations culminating in the Torrijos-Carter treaties. Based on the agreements, the United States renounced all control by the end of 1999, with provisions that guaranteed the permanent neutrality of the channel.
Since then, the panamenni have embraced their management of the channel with considerable success. The ACP, which manages the channel, has obtained significant goals in the last 25 years, including the 2016 expansion that has allowed the transit of larger ships, known as Neopanamax ships. The expansion, entirely financed by Panama, has strengthened the position of the channel in global trade by connecting 144 maritime routes and 1,700 ports in 160 countries.
The workforce of the channel, now entirely Panamense, has been an integral part of its success. “Our team of 8,500 workers made the channel a symbol of efficiency and national pride,” said Illya De Marotta, deputy director of ACP. Operating improvements also led to a reduction in transit times, cutting the average trip through the channel from 33 hours to 23 hours.
Despite these results, the channel faces challenges, in particular with regard to water sustainability. The climate change and the increase in the global trade application have put pressure on the water supply of the channel, pushing the ACP to explore solutions to guarantee long -term profitability.
The celebrations come among the controversies on the recent comments of the US president's elected president Donald Trump, who suggested that the United States should resume control of the channel. Without evidence, Trump said that Chinese military personnel was involved in channel management and criticized toll taxes as exorbitant.
Panama's response to Trump's observations was quick and resolute. President Mulino rejected the statements, stating: “There are no Chinese soldiers who control the channel. The canal belongs to the Panamese and will remain so forever. “
The panamenni of every social class echoed to this feeling. Abel Zeballos, media professor, expressed pride for the current state of the channel. “The channel represents the hard work of the generations and is a source of immense pride for all panamenni,” he said. Dalys Lee, a company administrator, added: “It is incredible to see how we transformed the channel into a successful company for the benefit of the entire nation”.
The channel has generated over $ 28 billion for Panama from the transfer, making it a milestone of the country's economy. Only in 2024, the ACP contributed to the government over $ 2.4 billion, with the channel that represents 7.7% of the gross domestic product of Panama.
The historian Panamense Omar Jaén Suárez, who played a role in the original negotiations, rejected Trump's observations as out of the world. “The treaties that guarantee the neutrality of the channel are recognized internationally and there is no realistic scenario in which the control would return to the United States,” he said.
Suárez has also dealt with criticisms of toll fees of the channel, explaining that they are determined in consultation with the community of international shipments to maintain competitiveness.
While Panama looks to the future, the channel remains a symbol of national pride and resilience. His success in the last 25 years is a testimony of the vision and determination of the Panamanian people, ensuring that the channel continues to play a fundamental role in the global trade and the development of the country.
