On Thursday, hundreds of Panamanians marched to commemorate the anniversary of a deadly 1964 uprising against U.S. control of the Panama Canal. As tensions with President-elect Donald Trump rise over his recent threats to reclaim the waterway, some demonstrators burned an effigy of him during the protest.
The 1964 clashes, which resulted in the deaths of more than 20 Panamanians—many of them students—and at least three U.S. soldiers, began when U.S. security forces opened fire during nationwide protests against American presence and control of the canal. The events of January 9, known as “Martyrs’ Day,” are considered a turning point that led to the canal’s eventual handover to Panama in 1999.
“Today is a day to honor the sacrifice of our martyrs and to declare to the world that Panama is sovereign, and the canal belongs to us,” said 84-year-old retired unionist Sebastian Quiroz, who was a student during the 1964 uprising.
Marchers chanted slogans such as “Spilled blood will never be forgotten” and “Hands off Panama” as they moved toward the Eternal Flame monument, erected to honor those who lost their lives. Earlier in the day, President José Raúl Mulino laid a wreath at the site during a formal ceremony.
Trump recently stirred controversy by refusing to rule out military or economic action to seize control of the 82-kilometer (51-mile) canal, which connects the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and serves as a crucial international shipping route. His criticism has focused on the costs associated with transporting goods through the canal and concerns over Chinese involvement in the region.
Although China does not control the canal directly, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings has managed key ports at both its Caribbean and Pacific entrances for years.
In response to Trump’s comments, Panama issued a strong rebuke. “The only hands controlling the canal are Panamanian, and that’s how it will remain,” said Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha.
Ivan Quintero, a 59-year-old university worker attending the march, echoed this sentiment. “Mr. Trump’s threats are deeply disrespectful. Panamanians fought hard for this, and no government can take it away from us. He needs to learn to show respect,” Quintero said.
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