Panama

Panama declared its independence from Spain on November 28, 1821. This was part of a larger wave of independence movements across Latin America. After the declaration of independence, Panama joined the Republic of Gran Colombia, a union of northern South American countries led by Simon Bolivar. The movement was driven by the desire for political and economic autonomy from the colonial Spanish government and was influenced by Enlightenment ideals and other successful revolutions around the world.

On November 3, 1903, Panama declared its independence from Colombia. The separation was backed by the United States, which had interests in building a canal across the Isthmus of Panama. The US facilitated the independence movement and quickly recognized the new Republic of Panama. Almost immediately after gaining independence, Panama signed a treaty with the United States granting them control over the Canal Zone in exchange for financial compensation and guarantees of protection.

The Panama Canal officially opened on August 15, 1914. The canal was a monumental engineering project that connected the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, revolutionizing global maritime trade. Its construction was initially attempted by the French in the late 19th century but completed by the United States after Panama's separation from Colombia. The opening of the canal greatly reduced travel time for ships, fostering increased trade and military naval movement between the oceans.

On October 11, 1968, a military coup d'état ousted elected president Arnulfo Arias and brought Omar Torrijos to power in Panama. The coup established a military government that lasted for over two decades. Torrijos implemented significant social and economic reforms, although his rule was also marked by the suppression of political opposition. The United States, which held significant economic and strategic interests in the canal zone, had a complicated relationship with Torrijos' regime.

On September 7, 1977, the Torrijos-Carter Treaties were signed between Panama and the United States. These treaties outlined the process for transferring control of the Panama Canal from the US to Panama by the end of the 20th century. The agreements aimed to end decades of tension over the canal's sovereignty and improve relations between the countries. The treaties were ratified by a national referendum in Panama, highlighting their significance to the nation’s autonomy and control over its own territory.

The United States launched a military invasion of Panama on December 20, 1989, codenamed Operation Just Cause. The US aimed to depose the military dictator Manuel Noriega, who was accused of drug trafficking, and also sought to safeguard the lives of US citizens residing in Panama. The invasion involved thousands of troops and resulted in the quick capture of Noriega. It led to the establishment of a civilian government and increased international scrutiny over US military interventions in sovereign nations.

On December 31, 1999, the United States formally transferred full control of the Panama Canal to the Panamanian government, fulfilling the terms of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties. This moment marked a significant achievement for Panama, which now had complete sovereignty over the canal that had long been a symbol of foreign control. The transfer was seen as a testament to the strengthened relations between the US and Panama and a critical juncture in Panama's national history and its economic development.

On November 3, 2004, a failure in the Torrijos Reservoir dam caused severe flooding. This incident raised concerns about infrastructure integrity and the need for better maintenance and safety standards. It prompted the Panamanian government to rethink its policies regarding infrastructure resilience and response strategies for natural disasters. The effects of the collapse were felt across the region, highlighting the importance of robust regulatory frameworks in preventing future disasters. Efforts to address these issues focused on improving engineering standards and emergency response plans.

On April 3, 2016, the Panama Papers were leaked to the public, exposing the complex financial and attorney-client information of numerous offshore entities. The investigation, conducted by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), revealed how the law firm Mossack Fonseca used Panama as a hub for global tax evasion and corruption. This event brought significant international attention to the issues of secrecy in offshore finance and prompted legal and regulatory responses across various countries.

The expanded Panama Canal was officially inaugurated on June 26, 2016. The expansion involved adding a third set of locks, allowing larger ships, known as New Panamax or Neopanamax vessels, to pass through the canal. This development was a significant boost to global maritime trade, as it allowed increased capacity and reduced transit times. The expansion project was a national priority for Panama, reflecting its strategic importance in global logistics and trade, and reinforcing Panama's role as a critical maritime hub.