The Republican-led Senate has initiated a formal hearing to address concerns over Panama’s alleged violations of the Panama Canal treaties.
The hearing, titled “Fees and Foreign Influence: Examining the Panama Canal and Its Impact on U.S. Trade and National Security,” was convened by Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
The Panama Canal, a testament to American engineering prowess, was constructed with immense effort and sacrifice. Over a decade of labor, the United States invested nearly $400 million—equivalent to over $15 billion today—and the project claimed more than 35,000 lives. Completed in 1914, the canal has been an invaluable asset, significantly reducing maritime travel time between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
However, in 1977, President Jimmy Carter signed treaties that transferred control of the canal to Panama by the end of 1999.
In December, Trump warned that the United States could seize back the Panama Canal unless the country agreed to lower its costs and counter Chinese influence.
In a post on Truth Social, the incoming president urged the Panamanian government to start taking care of the canal or face the consequences.
Hellbound and Down 