08 Jul Panama’s Separation from Colombia
By Natalie Warner
Panama’s history with colonialism dates well into the 1500s. Much of its history revolves around Spain, which colonized Panama for over 300 years (1513-1821). Although Spain played a significant role in Panama’s history, it is hard to ignore the relationship Panama and Colombia had with each other. Despite the common misconception, the events in 1903 resulted in the separation from Colombia, not the independence from Colombia.
Independence from Spain
During the rule of Spain, other European countries attempted to take over Panama, which prompted Spain to put Panama under the jurisdiction of Viceroyalty of New Granada. When New Granada achieved independence from Spain, Panama and other regions also gained independence.
Following this separation from Spain, Panama willingly joined Gran Colombia (Great Colombia). Gran Colombia consisted of multiple countries including present day Venezuela, Ecuador, and Colombia. Gran Colombia was the idea of Simón Bolívar, who imagined a republic consisting of a unionized set of countries. Fun fact: with the exception of Panama, countries that were part of Gran Colombia created similar flags of the original Gran Colombia flag.
Panama separated from Gran Colombia in 1830. Gran Colombia dissolved that year. Panama rejoined what was left of the republic in 1831, which by that time was the Republic of Colombia, or present day Colombia This unstable relationship lasted 70 years. Panama remained a department of the Republic of Colombia until 1903.
The separation from Colombia
There were three factors that played contribution to Panama’s successful separation. Philippe-Jean Bunau-Varilla, who was a shareholder of the bankrupt French company building the canal, desired to recover loses. The United States wanted to build an inter-oceanic canal (the canal was originally planned for Nicaragua). The third factor was the separatist movement, which had at least 3 attempts at seizing control of Panama and achieving autonomy.
Bunau-Varilla lobbied the US Senate to change their minds about the canal in Nicaragua and consider Panama. The Herrán-Hay Treaty was signed in 1903 in order to continue building the Canal. The treaty stated that the US should control the Canal in return for a $10 million payment and $250,000 annual payment, beginning in 1912. This was rejected by Colombia. President Theodore Roosevelt, who was president at the time, saw this rejection as a threat and became in support of the separatist movement.
Benau-Varilla met with the Manuel Amador, the leader of the Panamanian Independence Movement, in New York. Benau-Varilla wrote Amador a $100,000 check to fund a Panamanian revolt. This support came with a heavy price tag; in exchange Bunau-Varilla would become Panama’s ambassador in the United States.
The revolution began on November 3, 1903. Colombian troops were deployed to Panama due to misinformation that Nicaragua was planning on invading a northern region of Panama. Colombian troops, who were in the city of Colón, were delayed with the Panama Railway authorities who sympathized with Panamanian separatists. A US Naval gunboat, the USS Nashville, also caused delays for the Colombian battalion. The USS Nashville’s commander, John Hubbard, continued to interfere with Colombia’s mission by alleging that “neutrality” of the railway had to be respected.
A popular cartoon at the time, depicting feelings about the US acquisition of the Panama Canal. Source
Less than 3 weeks later, the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty was signed on November 18, 1903. The treaty allowed for the construction of a canal and US sovereignty over a strip of land consisting of 16 km by 80 km (10 mi by 50 mi). The treaty also gave the Canal to the US for eternity, which was later reverted with the Torrijos-Carter Treaty.
Demetrio H. Bird, the president of the Municipal Council of Panama, became the de facto president of Panama. Manuel Amador Guerrero was the first elected president in February 1904.
Panama’s history is intertwined with Spanish, Colombian, and United States’ policies. Its separation from Colombia marked the start of a new identity and the development of an industrial wonder.