Panama & US: A History Forged by the Canal

A Panamanian writer reflects on the complex, shared history between Panama and the United States, shaped fundamentally by the construction of the Panama Canal. The Canal’s building drew nearly 100,000 workers to a country with a pre-existing population of around 315,000, dramatically altering Panama’s demographics and culture.

The author recounts a childhood friendship with Scott, a “Zonian”, a US citizen living within the Canal Zone, as a lens through which to examine the tensions and connections between the two nations. The article details how the influx of workers led to a blending of cultures, though often at the expense of Indigenous traditions.

The author also touches upon instances of racial discrimination, like the story of Lester León Greaves, a Black man imprisoned for loving a white American woman. Years later, a chance encounter with Scott reveals how dramatically both men had changed, embodying the shifting relationship between Panama and the US. The author concludes that despite current political challenges, the two countries share an “indelible past” and an uncertain future.