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Republic of Panama
República de Panamá
Timeline: The Era of Relative Peace

OTL equivalent: Panama
Flag Coat of Arms
Flag Coat of Arms
Location of Republic of Panama
Map of Panama
Motto
Pro Mundi Beneficio
("For the Benefit of the World")
Anthem "Himno Istmeño"
Capital
(and largest city)
Panama City
Language
  official
 
Spanish
  others English, Afro-Caribbean
Ethnic Groups
  main
 
Mestizo
  others Amerindian, American, Black, Caribbean Islander, Pacific Islander
Demonym Panamanian
Government Unitary presidential constitutional republic
  Legislature National Assembly
Area
  main
 
75,417 km²
  water (%) 2.9
Independence from Spanish Empire
  declared November 28, 1821
  recognized November 3, 1903
Currency Panamanian Balboa and US Dollar

The Republic of Panama is country located on an isthmus connecting North America to South America. It is bordered by Costa Rica to the west and Colombia to east and shares coastlines with the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean. Panama plays a strategic role in global trade due to the presence of the Panama Canal, which permits ships to enter from the Pacific to the Atlantic vice versa.

History[]

World War III[]

Panama played a significant role in World War III by supporting allied ships in their rights of passage in the Panama Canal and barring entry from ships from the communist countries. The Panama Canal Zone, home to many US military installations, was secured jointly by the US Army and the Panamanian Defense Forces. In November 1989, when Cuba entered the war, an additional 1500 US troops were deployed to defend the canal from any communist insurgents.

In certain occasion, some cargo ships were boarded by US/Panamanian forces after it was discovered to contain weapons, explosives, and anti-tank launchers destined for FARC rebels in Colombia. Upon investigation, it originated from Cuba. A North Korean freighter was also towed after discovering the ship was loaded with weapons and 50 military advisors on its way to Cuba.

Fall of Manuel Noriega[]

Manuel Noriega real life BOII

Manuel Noriega.

General Manuel Noriega of the PDF took power in August 1983. While being supported by the United States during the early 1980s, relations with Panama and the United States would gradually wane overtime. Noriega was also a major cocaine trafficker, something which his US intelligence handlers were aware of for years, but allowed because of his usefulness for their covert military operations in Latin America as he worked closely with the CIA. In 1988, prior to World War III, Noriega was indicted by the United States on drug trafficking charges in Miami, Florida. This was only "temporarily forgotten" due to the outbreak of World War III a year later because the United States needed Panama as a strategic ally. Prior to the war, the elections of May 1989 were surrounded by controversy. It was alleged the Noriega rigged the elections against his opposition, Guillermo Endara. The Panamanians knew the result and protested against the elections, but were beaten up by Noriega's dignity battalions. Former President Jimmy Carter denounced the elections; the United States meanwhile recognized Endara as the winner.

After the war, in 1995, these charges were immediately brought back up. Since an invasion would have been too costly as it followed after the war, the US, through its CIA and DEA agents, began stirring up Noriega's crimes to the Panamanian people. On March 27, 1995, Citizens immediately swarmed the streets and overrun PDF positions, in a manner similar to the People Power Revolution in the Philippines in 1986. Some PDF soldiers and officers defected to the masses. Under intense pressure, Noriega resigned and turned himself in to DEA agents where he was flown the United States to face charges for drug-related crimes. Guillermo Endara then took the role as the President of Panama.

Return of the Panama Canal[]

Panama-Canal-1 newsfull h

Transfer of sovereignty of the Panama Canal (December 31, 1999).

As per the Torrijos-Carter Treaty of 1979, the sovereignty of the Panama Canal was returned to Panama at noontime, December 31, 1999. Present in the ceremony was the US ambassador to Panama, the Vice President of the US, and several soldiers. It was also attended by Panamanians and Americans alike. The Stars and Stripes was lowered for the first time as the final American troops withdrew before the sun set down on the isthmus. Celebration in Panama continued on beyond midnight as the new millennium began.

Today[]

Panama plays an important role in global trade and finance. The "New World Order" is said to be considered by economists and political analysts to be the effect of the Panama Canal's use for cargo ships bringing in trade internationally.

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