TRATADOS TORRIJOS CARTER

Summary

The video outlines the historical significance of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, signed on September 7, 1977, marking a turning point in Panama’s sovereignty over the Panama Canal. The treaties, which resulted from decades of diplomatic efforts, led to the eventual return of the Canal Zone to Panama by 1999. Key milestones include the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty (1903), the Kennedy Agreement (1962), and the Johnson Agreement (1967), all of which laid the foundation for Panama’s growing control. The Torrijos-Carter Treaties guaranteed Panama's sovereignty, economic benefits, and the neutral status of the canal, symbolizing the nation’s independence and the end of U.S. control.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Torrijos-Carter Treaties were signed on September 7, 1977, marking a significant milestone in Panama's history and sovereignty.
• 😀 The 1903 Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty essentially placed Panama under U.S. control, giving the U.S. authority over a 10-mile-wide strip of land for the Panama Canal.
• 😀 In 1961, Panama expressed dissatisfaction with the U.S.'s inaction on Panama's sovereignty, leading to the Seré-Kennedy Agreement in 1963 that allowed Panama's flag to be raised in the Canal Zone alongside the U.S. flag.
• 😀 The Johnson-Torrijos Treaty of 1967 emphasized Panama's sovereignty over the Canal Zone and set provisions for Panamanian participation in the canal's administration.
• 😀 Panama's dynamic diplomacy under General Omar Torrijos Herrera in the 1970s helped rally Latin American countries and global solidarity to address Panama's colonial dependence from the 1903 treaty.
• 😀 In 1974, Panama achieved the Tan Declaration, which outlined the return of the Canal Zone, the elimination of U.S. jurisdiction in Panama, and Panama's rightful participation in canal benefits.
• 😀 On October 23, 1977, the Torrijos-Carter Treaties were approved by both the U.S. Senate and Panama's government, setting the stage for the return of sovereignty over the canal.
• 😀 The treaties included a plebiscite in the U.S., and both countries agreed to a cooperative approach for canal administration, maintenance, and protection.
• 😀 Panama would gain full sovereignty over the Canal Zone, with a growing role in its administration, defense, and operation, starting in 1990.
• 😀 On December 31, 1999, the Panama Canal officially reverted to Panama, a historic event celebrated by thousands of Panamanians as a symbol of regained national control.

Q & A

What were the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, and why were they significant in Panama's history?

The Torrijos-Carter Treaties, signed on September 7, 1977, were pivotal in Panama's history as they marked the end of U.S. control over the Panama Canal Zone. They allowed Panama to regain full sovereignty over the canal, which had been under U.S. control since 1903, and represented the culmination of Panama's long-standing struggle for full sovereignty and control over its strategic location.

What did the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty of 1903 establish?

The Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty of 1903 established a U.S. protectorate over Panama, following its separation from Colombia. It granted the U.S. control over a 10-mile-wide strip of land, which became the Panama Canal Zone, allowing the U.S. to build and operate the Panama Canal.

How did the Sèvres-Kennedy Agreement of 1962 influence Panama-U.S. relations?

The Sèvres-Kennedy Agreement of 1962 was a response to Panama's dissatisfaction with the existing treaties, particularly the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty. It led to the raising of the Panamanian flag alongside the U.S. flag in the Canal Zone starting in 1964, symbolizing Panama's increasing sovereignty and the need for future negotiations to address Panama's aspirations for greater control over the Canal.

What was the significance of the announcement by Robert Fleming in 1963?

Robert Fleming, the Governor of the Canal Zone, announced in 1963 that the Panamanian flag would be raised alongside the U.S. flag in certain areas of the Canal Zone starting in 1964. This was a symbolic step towards recognizing Panama’s sovereignty over the Canal Zone, marking a shift in the political landscape between the U.S. and Panama.

What were the key goals of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties?

The Torrijos-Carter Treaties aimed to return control of the Panama Canal Zone to Panama, ensure Panama's full sovereignty over the Canal, and establish a framework for the shared administration and defense of the Canal. It also set terms for Panama’s participation in the canal’s economic benefits and its growing role in its operation and defense.

What was the role of the U.S. and Panama in the defense of the canal under the treaties?

Under the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, both the U.S. and Panama agreed to jointly protect and defend the Panama Canal. However, the U.S. held primary responsibility for defense during the treaty's duration, with a joint military commission overseeing this aspect of the agreement.

What economic benefits did Panama receive under the Torrijos-Carter Treaties?

Panama received significant economic benefits under the treaties, including 60% of the land and infrastructure in the Canal Zone, as well as the rights to the Panama Canal Railway and the ports of Balboa and Cristóbal. Panama also received $10 million in services and a share of the canal’s toll revenues.

How did the Torrijos-Carter Treaties address Panama's role in canal administration?

The treaties stipulated that Panama would gradually take over the administration of the Canal. Until December 31, 1989, the canal would be managed by a U.S.-led agency, with a U.S. administrator and a Panamanian deputy. From January 1, 1990, Panama would assume full control over canal administration.

What was the significance of the Permanent Neutrality Treaty in relation to the Panama Canal?

The Permanent Neutrality Treaty established that the Panama Canal would remain neutral, ensuring that it remained open and accessible to all nations during both peacetime and wartime. Panama declared its neutrality to maintain the canal's importance as an international waterway.

What event marked the full transfer of the Panama Canal to Panama, and when did it occur?

The full transfer of the Panama Canal to Panama occurred on December 31, 1999. This marked the end of over 90 years of U.S. control, with a ceremony celebrating Panama's regained sovereignty over the canal and its surrounding areas.