Panama has one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America and has as stable government. Like the United States, it is a republic and engages the public. They have evaluated cannabis as a benefits and have moved to integrating into their healthcare.

The Panama Canal has long been one of the most important routes for global shipping. It’s a narrow passageway that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, saving ships from having to sail all the way around the tip of South America.

As United States President Donald Trump was sworn in for his second term on Monday, he repeated his wishes to acquire the Panama Canal and rename the Gulf of Mexico in his inaugural speech. Trump has spoken about the canal and the Gulf of Mexico previously. On Monday, he signalled he was serious about moving ahead with both those ideas – and soon.

Trump has suggested using military force to retake the Panama Canal, but such an action would involve complications.

More than 100 years after the construction of the engineering marvel that linked the Atlantic and Pacific oceans — and 25 years after the canal was returned to Panama by the US — the Panama Canal faces renewed intimidation from US President Donald Trump.

I really feel uncomfortable because it’s like when you’re big and you take a candy from a little kid,” one resident said.

Trump accuses China of undue influence and vows to regain control to protect U.S. interests. Meanwhile, Panama reaffirms its right to sovereignty

The Panama Canal connects the Caribbean Sea with the Pacific Ocean, providing a crucial shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans for maritime traffic. The United States handed Panamanian control of the canal in 1999 after overseeing its construction and operation for most of the 20th century.

The new administration sees Chinese-owned infrastructure as leverage over the waterway. Panama and some former U.S. military officials say concerns are overblown.

They say they fought too hard to wrest it from the U.S. to now hand back the waterway, which is part of the nation’s identity.

Whatever the US decides to call the gulf, it does not mean other countries will pay any heed. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Often called one of the seven modern wonders of the world, the Panama Canal splits the continents of North and South America and launched a new era in global commerce when it opened in 1914.