No. of Recommendations: 5
What's wrong with not wanting to be charged for something that was GIVEN to them?
In the era of gunboat diplomacy the US wanted the canal which was part of Colombia. We fostered and assisted a breakout of Panama from Colombia to get the Canal Zone - it worked. We then made small annual payments and built the Canal.
Modernly, the canal would be the equivalent of a 150 mile strip of land centered on the Mississippi River, running from New Orleans all the way up to Canada. So it's easy to see how the Panamanians might view it, as they pass through the Zone to go to the other side of their country. Then imagine communist rebel influence. In any case by relinquishing claims to the Zone, the USA closed out part of our Imperialist history and interference in Latin America, which has been substantial.
We can get lower prices without antagonizing their government. Make it into a win-win situation, instead of Panama loses.
