Trump’s MAGA slogan revokes ugly Panama Canal memories: US imperialism at it again

For most of the Panamanians, the Panama Canal evokes anything but pleasantness. It is as if US imperialism and exploitation are around the corner once again, with Trump’s claim that Panama is its property. Bearing the brunt of these two shackles, they know where it pains the most, especially when America controlled and ruled the canal.

For most of the people of the region, the Panama Canal defines their national identity apart from, obviously, the country’s economy. This very much belies the claim of the President-elect over the canal, enthralling his supporters. The ‘harking back’ to the purported ‘golden days’ by Trump can be understood by his statement, “I can proudly proclaim that the Golden Age of America is upon us. There’s a spirit that we have now that we didn’t have just a short while ago.”

Panamian President says Panama Canal’s sovereignty non-negotiable

Corroborating his promise in Phoenix at the Turning Point USA event, Trump seemed to be concerned about the taxes being levied on the cargo ships. Terming them ‘ridiculous’ he almost threatened to take the canal back on the non-reduction of shipping fees. “Every square meter of the Panama Canal and its adjoining zone is Panama’s and will remain so. The sovereignty and independence of our country is non-negotiable,” a quick rebuking followed by the Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino.

In his first term, Trump was all praises for the kind of work the US did while building up the canal. This was shared with the then Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela while talking to reporters in 2017. However, he reminded Trump about the work that happened a hundred years ago.

Panama Canal has historical background besides an economic power struggle

On the surface of it, the threat seems like emanating from economic concerns but has got historical moorings elsewhere. Apart from that, uncontrolled ambitions of controlling everything on earth in the name of anything, is what dictates the country’s interfering attitude. Predating the present scenario, in 1903 a treaty had been signed by the then Panama’s ambassador in Washington, which gave the US the right to build and run the canal.

The Panama Canal came into existence with the toil and tears of innumerable workers who perished during the endeavor. Most of them were Afro-Panamanians and Caribbeans. This was followed by the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, in 1977 which opened up an opportunity for the Latin American country to gain control over the valuable land and water asset by the year 1999.

Sovereignty being a prime concern for many Latin American countries, the latest developments carry in them a potential to reignite tensions between the US and them. Though the 201-year-old Monroe Doctrine, signed by the then US President James Monroe in 1923, underlined the concern about unnecessary meddling by European powers, it is a fact that the US twisted the whole concept towards its policies in Europe.

The US imperialistic aims in the Latin American country get all the clearer by the latest claims on the Panama Canal. For nearly two centuries, America has been interfering in Latin American matters treating the country as a resource to be exploited. Though treaties after treaties got signed, all owing to acknowledgment of the interference, yet subsequent violence following them belied the peace on the surface.

Us invaded the Panama canal in 1989

So much so, that the US in 1989 got ahead with an invasion of Panama to depose President Manuel Noriega in the name of flimsy American security concerns. It was since that year Panama began distrusting America while being forced to hand over the control of the Panama Canal to the US. The US dominance over an important resource has fueled nothing, but resistance and loss of lives.

The Torrijos-Carter Treaties though signed to protect the sovereignty of the Panamanians, was followed by the invasion permanently scarring the US-Panama relationship. It also reflects the broader aspect of US policies underlined in MAGA, all at the expense of the national sovereignty of the nations it wishes to intervene, in the name of anything.

Many cheerleaders for Trump might find the notions of MAGA uplifting, but the brunt is often borne by the countries apart from Panama. Greenland, Mexico and Canada are other instances of the US hegemony over the resources, which Trump often drags in during his comments while talking to the Press.

In the background of American self-interest, many countries are meted out unfair treatment by being used as mere bargaining chips. Putting forward flimsy notions of grievances over trade, security and perceived unfairness, his statements reflect a transactional mindset that fails to see the actual reality.

Alienation is what has resulted from this deep-set imperialistic attitude, trampling upon other nations’ sovereignties and gaining nothing, but mistrust. The scars have failed to heal even after so much time has passed.

Panamians feel threatened by the US

Panamanians, apart from other Latin American nations have worked hard to protect their autonomy and instead of respecting that, the US undermines this much progress as well. The emotional bonding with the Panama Canal for most of the Panamanians is the very base of their national identity and this is what is under threat from the US.

The untold loss of lives while building the Panama Canal, especially by the Blacks, is held as the very base of national pride while discussing the events unfolding during its construction. And these are the principles, falsely though, claimed to be represented by the US.

A person working for nearly seven decades on the Panama Canal was emotional while describing the events, “my father and others instilled in me that I should respect their efforts in the construction of the canal. It was built mostly with the blood, sweat and tears of Blacks.” Continuing, he said, “I am glad we Panamanians now have the canal and we will run it as well or better than the Americans did.”

Despite Trump’s persistent efforts towards reclaiming the Panama Canal, it is but sure that Panamanians are going to resist that with all their might. Being Panama’s symbol of sovereignty, her people with resilience and pride guiding them at every step, are sure to protect their national identity.