Instant Insight

30-Second Take

• President Jimmy Carter’s 1977 treaties marked a significant shift in U.S.-Panama relations, returning the Panama Canal to Panama by 1999.
• Carter’s efforts involved building a bipartisan coalition and addressing long-standing grievances against U.S. control.
• The treaties symbolize a period of diplomatic cooperation and a change in Washington’s approach to international relations.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

The Panama Canal, a crucial waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, has a complex history. Initially, the U.S. acquired rights to build and operate the canal through the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty in 1903, following Panama’s secession from Colombia. However, by the 1970s, this arrangement had become a source of contention.

Core Players

• Jimmy Carter – 39th President of the United States, key figure in negotiating the Torrijos-Carter Treaties.
• Omar Torrijos – Military leader of Panama, played a crucial role in the negotiations.
• Sol Linowitz – Carter’s advisor, co-negotiator of the treaties.
• Cyrus Vance – Secretary of State during Carter’s administration, supported the treaty negotiations.

Key Numbers

• 1903: Year the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty was signed, giving the U.S. control over the Panama Canal Zone.
• 1977: Year the Torrijos-Carter Treaties were signed, paving the way for Panama’s control of the canal by 1999.
• 1979: Year the Canal Zone was transferred to Panama.
• 1999: Year the Panama Canal was fully transferred to Panama.
• $10 million: Initial payment to Panama under the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty.
• $250,000: Annual annuity paid to Panama under the same treaty.

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

The Torrijos-Carter Treaties were a response to growing Latin American resentment against U.S. power and control over the Panama Canal. By the 1970s, the need for a new agreement was evident.

Carter, fulfilling a campaign promise, prioritized negotiating a new treaty with Panama. This involved significant diplomatic efforts and a shift in U.S. foreign policy approach.

Inside Forces

Carter faced vocal opposition from Congress and the American public, but he was convinced that returning the canal to Panama was the right course of action. His advisors, including Sol Linowitz and Cyrus Vance, supported this move.

To garner support, Carter’s administration held hundreds of forums to explain the rationale behind the treaties. This public outreach was crucial in building a bipartisan coalition.

Power Dynamics

The treaties marked a significant change in power dynamics between the U.S. and Panama. Omar Torrijos, the military leader of Panama, played a pivotal role in the negotiations, ensuring that Panama’s interests were represented.

The U.S. retained the right to defend the canal’s neutrality under the treaties, but this was a compromise that allowed for the eventual transfer of control to Panama.

Outside Impact

The treaties had broader implications for international relations. They symbolized a move away from unilateral U.S. control and toward more cooperative and equitable global relationships.

The successful negotiation and ratification of the treaties also influenced other international agreements, highlighting the importance of diplomatic cooperation.

Future Forces

Today, the Panama Canal remains a vital waterway, with its management and operation fully under Panamanian control. The legacy of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties continues to shape U.S.-Panama relations and serves as a model for international cooperation.

As global geopolitical dynamics continue to evolve, the lessons from these treaties—about the importance of mutual respect and cooperative agreements—remain relevant.

Data Points

• November 3, 1903: Panama declared independence from Colombia, supported by the U.S.
• September 7, 1977: The Torrijos-Carter Treaties were signed.
• 1978: The U.S. Senate ratified the treaties.
• October 1, 1979: The Panama Canal Zone was transferred to Panama.
• December 31, 1999: The Panama Canal was fully transferred to Panama.