DeRLAS Vol. 12 No. 1 Watt & Dannels-Ruff Delaware Review of Latin American Studies Vol. 12 No. 1 June 30, 2011 The US and Panama: The Evolution of an Asymmetric Relationship Michelle Arnold Watts and Kimberly Dannels-Ruff School of Security and Global Studies American Public University System
[email protected] Abstract This article examines the historic transition of the Panama Canal from the United States to Panama and analyzes how this transition transformed the relationship between the US and Panama. We argue that the relatively peaceful transition of the Canal from the US to Panama, despite its flaws, ultimately allowed Panama to overcome a history of occupation, to gain long-awaited sovereignty over its territory and to expand its role in the international community. With the acquisition of the Canal, and the lengthy transition period which allowed adequate time for Panamanians to master Canal operations, Panama has become an essential player in the global economy and now uses the Canal as a catalyst for national economic growth. The transition, as well as the divergent interests of both actors, changed the historically asymmetric relationship between the US and Panama. While the US remains dominant, Panama has solidified its sovereignty. Key words: Asymmetry Theory, Panama, United States, Panama Canal, Carter-Torrijos Treaties, Deconcini, Liberalism, Noriega, Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty, Unexploded ordinances, Jimmy Carter, Neutrality Treaty ******************************** Panama recently celebrated its first decade of sovereignty over the Panama Canal and the former Canal Zone. Prior to this time, Panama had little to no control over this precious national resource. The French had begun construction of the Canal in 1880, when Panama was still a province of Colombia.