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America’s newly elected President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened to take the Panama Canal back under American control. This canal is part of the Caribbean country Panama. America had control over this canal till 1999.
Trump said that Panama is charging more than America for using this canal. He also alleged that China is increasing its influence on the canal. Addressing a rally of supporters in the US state of Arizona, Trump said that he would not let the canal fall into the wrong hands.
After the rally, Trump also posted an AI generated photo on his social media account. In this picture, the American flag is seen hanging in the middle of the Panama Canal. In the caption of the picture, Trump wrote ‘Welcome to the United States Canal’. It means Welcome to the United States Canal.
Panama’s President rebuked Trump Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino has strongly reprimanded Trump on his threat. Mulino said in a recorded message on Sunday that Panama’s independence would not be compromised. He rejected Trump’s allegations and denied China’s influence on the canal.
Mulino said the gates of the two ports on the Caribbean and Pacific sides of the Panama Canal are managed by a subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings. This company is based in Hong Kong, China has no control over it.
Mulino further said that every inch of land around the Panama Canal and its surroundings belongs to Panama and it will remain Panama’s in future also. Responding to Mulino’s statement, Trump said that we will think about this further.
About 14 thousand container ships pass through the Panama Canal every year.
Why is the Panama Canal special?
The Panama Canal is located between North and South America. It works to separate the two continents. Along with this, it reduces the distance between the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. Before the construction of this canal, ships going from the West Coast of America to the East Coast had to travel thousands of nautical miles and go around South America via Cape Horn.
After the construction of the canal, the journey of thousands of miles of ships reduced. Ships directly reach the Atlantic Ocean from the Pacific Ocean through the Panama Canal. This reduces the time, fuel and shipping costs required to transport cargo.
Panama charges ships a fee for transit. This canal is an important source of national income for Panama.
How was the Panama Canal built?
The idea of building a canal in Panama came in the early 16th century. However, efforts for this started in the late 19th century. During this period, Panama was ruled by Colombia. In 1881, France, along with Colombia, started the work of building the Panama Canal. France chose engineer Ferdinand de Lesseps for this work. He had earlier built the Suez Canal in Egypt.
However, after just 8 years, France had to stop the construction of the canal in 1889 due to engineering challenges, spread of diseases among workers and lack of funds.
Panama gained independence from Colombia in 1903. After this, in 1904, America bought the properties of France and took the responsibility of building the canal. Along with using better engineering, America also focused on controlling diseases. On the other hand, there was no shortage of American funds either.
The canal was officially opened on 15 August 1914. It is considered the best example of American engineering. About 38 thousand American workers died while building it. At that time, 375 million dollars were spent in making it.
America had complete control over this canal for the next 63 years. In 1977, a treaty was signed between the US and Panama, after which both countries had joint control over this canal. After this, America completely handed over the canal to Panama on 31 December 1999.
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