Panama Canal Tensions Resurface on Historic Martyrs’ Day \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Panama’s Martyrs’ Day, commemorating the 1964 killing of 21 protesters by police and U.S. troops, takes on renewed significance as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump suggests using military force to reclaim the Panama Canal. Trump’s comments have been rejected by Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino, with experts dismissing the rhetoric as unrealistic. This year’s holiday also coincided with the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter, who negotiated the handover of the canal to Panama in 1977.
Trump’s Panama Canal Remarks: Quick Looks
- Martyrs’ Day Significance: Honors students killed in 1964 protests over U.S. control of the canal zone.
- Trump’s Proposal: Suggests retaking the canal due to rising transit fees, refusing to rule out military action.
- Panama’s Response: President José Raúl Mulino rejects Trump’s expansionist rhetoric.
- Expert Opinion: Analysts call Trump’s threats “empty” and unrealistic.
- Jimmy Carter’s Legacy: Holiday coincides with funeral of the president who negotiated the canal handover.
Deep Look
Martyrs’ Day in Panama: Sovereignty in the Spotlight Amid Trump’s Canal Remarks
Panama’s annual commemoration of Martyrs’ Day took on heightened significance this year as President-elect Donald Trump suggested using military force to reclaim control of the Panama Canal. This solemn holiday, observed every January 9, honors the 21 Panamanians killed in 1964 during protests against U.S. control of the canal zone. Trump’s comments have reignited debates about the canal’s sovereignty, underscoring its enduring importance to Panama’s national identity and global trade.
The Legacy of Martyrs’ Day
On January 9, 1964, a group of Panamanian students protested at a U.S.-controlled high school in the canal zone after being denied permission to fly Panama’s flag alongside the U.S. flag. What began as a peaceful demonstration escalated into a violent clash involving U.S. troops and police, leaving 21 protesters dead and over 500 injured.
This tragic event marked a turning point in Panama’s relationship with the United States, galvanizing efforts to secure sovereignty over the Panama Canal. Historians identify Martyrs’ Day as a pivotal moment that ultimately led to the signing of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties in 1977, under which U.S. President Jimmy Carter agreed to transfer control of the canal to Panama by December 31, 1999.
This year’s observance coincided with Carter’s funeral in Washington, D.C. The former president, who passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100, is remembered in Panama as a pivotal figure in the country’s journey to full sovereignty.
Trump’s Expansionist Rhetoric
‘Trump’s recent comments have brought the canal’s history back into the global spotlight. During a press conference this week, Trump criticized rising tolls for ships transiting the canal and refused to rule out the possibility of military action to reclaim it, declaring the canal a vital U.S. strategic interest.
These remarks have been met with firm opposition in Panama. President José Raúl Mulino called Trump’s rhetoric “outrageous,” reaffirming Panama’s sovereignty over the canal. “The Panama Canal is ours, and we are going to defend it,” Mulino said.
Esmeralda Orobio, whose uncle was one of the students killed in the 1964 protests, echoed this sentiment during a Martyrs’ Day ceremony. “The Panama Canal is ours, and we are going to defend it,” she said.
Symbolism of the Panama Canal
For Panama, the canal is far more than a trade route—it is a symbol of national pride and economic independence. Its control represents the culmination of decades of struggle and sacrifice, making any suggestion of external interference a deeply sensitive issue.
Since the handover in 1999, the canal has been a cornerstone of Panama’s economy, generating billions in revenue annually. However, rising transit fees have become a point of contention for international shippers, including the United States, which remains one of the canal’s largest users.
Expert Analysis: A Real Threat or Empty Rhetoric?
While Trump’s comments have caused alarm, experts largely dismiss the likelihood of military action. Michael Shifter, former president of the Inter-American Dialogue and an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, called the remarks an “empty threat.”
“The idea that Trump would resort to force to retake the canal is not realistic,” Shifter said. He noted that Trump’s rhetoric aligns with his broader expansionist worldview but lacks practical feasibility given the political and diplomatic costs of such a move.
The Torrijos-Carter Treaties and Jimmy Carter’s Legacy
The handover of the Panama Canal is one of Jimmy Carter’s most enduring foreign policy achievements. The Torrijos-Carter Treaties, signed in 1977, ended nearly a century of U.S. control over the canal. This landmark agreement allowed Panama to assume full control by the end of the 20th century, restoring the canal’s sovereignty to its rightful owners.
Carter’s commitment to Panama’s independence was a bold political move, facing significant opposition in the United States at the time. However, it earned him lasting respect in Panama, where he is remembered as a champion of fairness and diplomacy.
Rising Fees and Geopolitical Tensions
Under Panama’s management, the canal has undergone significant modernization, including the completion of the Panama Canal Expansion Project in 2016. These upgrades have enabled the canal to accommodate larger vessels, boosting its global relevance. However, they have also led to increased tolls, drawing criticism from international shipping companies and governments, including the United States.
Trump’s remarks reflect broader frustrations about rising transit fees but also serve as a reminder of the canal’s strategic importance in global trade. Approximately 6% of the world’s maritime trade passes through the canal, making it a vital chokepoint for international commerce.
Regional Implications
Trump’s rhetoric has raised concerns in Latin America about the potential for renewed U.S. interventionism. At a time when global tensions are already high—due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s growing influence in the Pacific—Trump’s remarks risk alienating key allies in the region.
“Trump’s comments are likely more symbolic than strategic,” Shifter said, suggesting that the president-elect aims to project strength rather than pursue actual military action.
Panamanians Rally to Defend Sovereignty
As Panama commemorates Martyrs’ Day, its people remain united in their resolve to defend the canal’s sovereignty. The memory of those who sacrificed their lives in 1964 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of independence and self-determination.
“This is more than a political issue; it’s a matter of national identity,” said Panamanian historian Luis Pinilla. “The canal represents the soul of Panama, and any threat to its sovereignty will be met with firm resistance.”
Looking Ahead
As Trump prepares to take office, his rhetoric about the Panama Canal underscores the challenges of balancing domestic and international interests. For Panama, the canal’s sovereignty is non-negotiable, while for the United States, it remains a strategic asset central to global trade.
Whether Trump’s remarks signal a broader shift in U.S.-Panama relations or simply reflect his characteristic bluster, the episode highlights the enduring significance of the canal as both a symbol and a practical lifeline in global geopolitics.
Panama’s Martyrs’ Day serves as a timely reminder of the sacrifices made to secure the canal’s independence and the importance of vigilance in preserving it for future generations.
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