Thread: Does Panama control it's own canal?

1) What would it mean for Panama to contol it's canal? Make all the decisions regarding it?

2) Does it?

1. The Canal is property of Panama
2. Yes

---------- Post added at 07:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:59 PM ----------

Although there is a Very large and new US Embassy not to far away.

Panama has an agreement with the US that if the canal cannot function properly, the americans can take it back, or something like that.

Originally Posted by HOSEM1

Panama has an agreement with the US that if the canal cannot function properly, the americans can take it back, or something like that.

There's no such agreement or anything remotely similar that. The fact is, the canal is being run more efficiently today than it was when Uncle Sam had it. The only stipulation in the canal treaties that would involve the US (militarily) is in the unlikely event of external sabotage of canal operations.

Source: The Panama Canal Treaties

What about internal disturbances or the emergance of a government hostile to the US that puts restrictions on the normal use of the canal?

Originally Posted by Panamax

There's no such agreement or anything remotely similar that. The fact is, the canal is being run more efficiently today than it was when Uncle Sam had it. The only stipulation in the canal treaties that would involve the US (militarily) is in the unlikely event of external sabotage of canal operations.

Source: The Panama Canal Treaties

Originally Posted by HOSEM1

What about internal disturbances or the emergance of a government hostile to the US that puts restrictions on the normal use of the canal?

Did you read the link I submitted above? If you did, tell me what part you fail to understand.

The Panamanian government technically does control it, yes, but the Americans do have a lot of sway in the isthmus. I mean, what's the US embassy employee count now?

Originally Posted by balboatropics

The Panamanian government technically does control it, yes, but the Americans do have a lot of sway in the isthmus. I mean, what's the US embassy employee count now?

1. Panama's control, operation and expansion of the canal is not technical, it is exclusive and absolute.
2. The US shares an alliance with Panama as it does with the UK and countless other nations, but it has no interest, let alone authority to meddle in the internal affairs of Panama, any more than it does with the UK.
3. The US embassy employee count is irrelevant and inmaterial to this issue.

However, if for whatever reason you want to harbor this misconception, don't let me burst your bubble...

I remember when I came back from Panama in 2008, a guy at work (who lacks in intelligence) tried to tell me that "a rich Chinese guy" owned the Panama Canal.

I said "No bud, I was just there a few days ago in the museum and if it were owned by a rich Chinese guy, I'm confident I would have read about it".

Well there was just no convincing this guy, but like I said -- no brainiac, so I didn't try too hard..

I did a little Googling after and did find this article, however:

Get Rich: Go long in whatever China is buying : Detailed News | 24 February 2009 | www.commodityonline.com

It does talk about a rich Chinese guy who controls ports on both sides of the canal.

This is obviously where dum-dum got his misinformation.

If this particular guy ever brings the topic up again, I'll make sure to point him to the article..