The Panama Canal Treaties

The Panama Canal Treaties of 1977. The dramatic events that forced President Carter and Omar Torrijos to negotiate the handing over of the Panama Canal Zone. Previously under the exclusive domain and control of the US, the Treaties moved the exclusive management and operation of the Canal and the surrounding Canal Zone property to the Panamanians. These treaties also changed US – Latin American relations permanently; signaled the end of the practice of the Monroe Doctrine; avoided the risk of wars between aligned Latin countries and the US; handed the operation and management of the canal to a Central American country and were arguably the most significant treaty negotiation impacting international trade for decades.

This is an updated version of a University thesis written originally in 1980, addressing some of the issues brought back to the forefront of geopolitical discussion in 2025. It now also includes updates on many of the important individuals whom the author met during his research that summer, who went on to perform key roles between then and now.