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E. Panama Canal Authority

 

I.  The Panama Canal open the lock and the Gatun Lake for the transit of all vessel since 1914, under the management of the United State of America, by virtue of a Hay-Buneau Varila Treaty.  The Canal operated every day and offered its services to all, since the day of its inauguration, except one day, the 2oth of December in 1989, the day of the invasion of Panama by the United State Army to out state a Military Dictator.  

II. The initial Treaty 0f 1903, was negotiated and amended three times during the last Century (XX Century)  by different Democratic Governments (1935 and 1955).  And by virtue of the third  Treaty, signed in 1977,  the United States accepted to return to Panama, the Canal management, its physical infrastructure and related buildings and territories.  Transfer of thirteen Military Bases and valuable real estate properties and one billion dollar budget of annual operation of the Canal, was smoothly completed, according to the Treaties,  the 31st of December 1999.

II. Panama, following its obligation with all users (Nations)  of  the waterway, amended the Constitution  by a Referendum  in 1993.  The citizens mandate approved a new Title which confirm that the operation of the Canal, was transferred to recognized and knowledgeable citizen,  out of  the Political system and with it, the Panama Canal Authority was later created by act of the Congress.   

II. With the enactment of Law 19 of June 11th, 1997, the Panama Canal Authority was  established as a autonomous entity, and confirms that the  Administrator hold a Minister position,  with  presence in the Government Cabinet. The Panama Canal Authority, with a General Administrator has a Board of Directors of 9 persons and  remain an effective public institution.  Annual income  is transferred to the central  government,  for further investment in public schools and in  the public health system, among others. 

IV.  Law No. 28 of 2006, which approved the modernization of the Canal and the buildings of the a third set of lock in each entrance of the Canal (Pacific and Caribbean) was ratify by a vote of citizen through another Referendum.  The approval of such mega project for the  total amount of 5.2 billion (of today value US dollars), has already initiated and should be finalized by 2014,  allowing  then "post panamax vessels"  to use the water way.

 

 

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