The Change of the Panama Canal
Created | Updated Jun 20, 2003
On December 31, 1999, the United States said, 'Farewell,' to the Canal it had controlled for
almost a century. The canal connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, shortening sea trips by
thousands of miles. But does this change make any large difference, or is it only a symbol?
Since the early 1900s, the U.S. has been renting the canal from Panama.
However, when the Canal was finished, the U.S. promised to hand the Canal
over to the then-new-nation on the last day before the year 2,000. And a
promise is a promise. On December 31, the U.S. packed up its bags and said,
'Good-bye.'
However, some Washington conservatives didn't want to let go. They thought that if the Canal changed control, that the 15% of U.S. exports and imports
would become under the 'control' of nations in alliances with Panama,
especialy Communist China.
Panama is spending over $1 billion (U.S.) to widen and modernize the Canal to
increase efficiency, and will sell excess power from its lock dams. Maybe
this change is for the better. Only time will tell.
