This week, Trump brought up the Canal, and how we should re-take it. Since I lived there for 3 years....I have a fair amount of background in this discussion.
First, what the US should have done in 1904 as construction started up.....they should have said this is now a US territory, and the 45,000 in population....been promised some entry to statehood in 25 years (whenever the population reached 100,000). That idea was never discussed.
Second, the running of the canal was absolutely dependent upon the man-made lake, and a general amount of rainfall each year. Once the Chinese came in and enlarged the locks....the water was not there to ensure the functionality of the locks. No one today wants to admit the enlargement was a goof-up.
Third, since the 1930s....the people of Panama have had this belief that the canal had a 'profit'.
As ships passed through....they paid a fee. But if you examine the money angle....the US gov't funneled millions each year....to the canal....to keep it functional and upgraded. The fee simply paid for day-to-day operations cost.
So this idea that it was a profit-machine....was forever a bogus-story. People believed this, and became a political magnet for coup activity and political bickering.
Fourth, there's a fair amount of hype for a NEW canal to be built in Nicaragua, and once done....I'm likely to believe that 75-percent of the traffic through Panama will end. Taking the canal back? Why?
Finally, yeah....there's no doubt we goofed up in twenty-odd ways, but taking it back at this point.....serves no purpose.
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