What is the connection between Trump, Panama Canal, China and mosquitoes, why are the captains of India and America forced to abandon the ship?

New Delhi: In the medieval period, the idea of ​​building a canal came to the mind of Charles V, the King of Spain and Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in the year 1534. he/she first approved the construction of the Panama Canal to provide better waterways for Spanish merchants and their military. he/she hurriedly issued instructions for the survey. Strategically and commercially important Panama is between the two continents of North and South America.
Despite the narrow width of the Panama Strait, the first attempt to build a trade route here was made by Scotland in 1658. However, due to poor environmental conditions and complications, work on it was abandoned in the year 1700. Today, about 15 thousand ships pass through the Panama Canal every year. Apart from container ships carrying cars, these also include ships carrying products like oil and gas. Know the whole story of Panama, the newly elected President of America Donald Trump has created a sensation by talking about whose control.

25 thousand people lost their lives due to mosquito bites

In 1855, an engineer named William Conish, while working for the American government, surveyed this area and presented a report. In 1877, a French military engineer named Armand Reclus and engineers named Lucien Napoleon together surveyed the construction route of the canal. Behind which was the excitement of the achievements of the French in the construction of the Suez Canal. The work of building a canal in Panama, France, began on January 1, 1881, under the leadership of Ferdinand de Lesseps. This was the same Lesseps who was the Chief Engineer of the Suez Canal. However, this work was started in such a hurry in Panama that about 25,000 workers lost their lives due to malaria and yellow fever due to severe climatic conditions and mosquitoes.

Panama Scandal: Reached jail while building canal

Eventually, the manufacturing company went bankrupt in 1889 and Ferdinand de Lesseps’ son Charles de Lesseps was jailed for 5 years for financial irregularities (known as the Panama Scandal). The company was disbanded and work stopped. In 1894 a second company, Compagnie Nouvelle du Canal de Panama, was formed, but its efforts were also not successful.
Later, the US government acquired this territory by signing a treaty with the government of Colombia, because Panama then belonged to Colombia. American engineers began work in 1904, building the canal with three locks. The Americans completed it in 1914 after much study and investment. After several changes, this 82 kilometer long canal was handed over to Panama on December 31, 1999.

When a cartoon published in French newspapers created a stir

A cartoon was published in French newspapers in 1892, which caused an uproar across the world. These cartoons were about the Panama scam. In fact, it was a corruption case that came to light in the French Third Republic in 1892, linked to a French company’s failed attempt to build the Panama Canal. Nearly half a billion francs were squandered and members of the French government took bribes to keep quiet about the financial troubles of the Panama Canal Company, which is considered the largest monetary corruption scandal of the 19th century.

Indian ships also go to America via Panama

It is estimated that goods worth $270 billion for more than 170 countries pass through this canal every year. There are ships from India also among them. Last year, Indian ships, which were going to America, got stuck in Panama. Currently, only those ships that fall within 1050 feet length, 110 feet width and 41.2 feet depth are able to pass through the Panama Canal.
However, modern ships have grown much larger in size. In such a situation, a new lock is being built here. The new locks being built in the canal will be according to the size of big ships with 12,000 containers. It is planned to make their chambers 1400 feet long, 180 feet wide and 60 feet deep. Also, tugboats will be installed in place of locomotives to pull ships in the new lock.

When the captain has to abandon the ship in the Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is the only waterway in the world where the captain completely relinquishes control of his/her ship. Panamanian expert captains take the ships in this canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. After reaching the mouth of the canal from the sea, the ship is lifted 85 feet with the help of locks. Then the ship moves forward through Gatun Lake. With the help of locks at the other end, the ship is then lowered 85 feet to sea level.

Ships in the Panama Canal are lifted 85 feet

The lifting of ships in the Panama Canal is done through three locks. Locks work as stairs. The first lock is closed after the ship has entered. Then the lock is filled with water. With the help of water, the ship rises and several powerful railway engines installed on both sides slowly take it to the next lock. The same process is done again there also. In this way, the ship raised in three stages enters the canal connected to Gatun Lake. To return to the sea, water from three locks is slowly released one by one.

6 percent of the world’s total trade passes through this canal

The Panama Canal is considered the result of skilled engineering and is seen as a revolutionary change in global trade. There are such towers in Panama City, due to which it is called the Dubai of Latin America. This canal is the engine of Panama’s progress. Ever since Panama took control of the canal, its operation has been praised. The government of Panama receives more than one billion dollars in transit fees every year from this canal. However, only 6 percent of total global trade takes place through the Panama Canal route.

Challenge is coming from China, canal is being built in Nicaragua also

It is being said that after the emergence of China as a power in global trade, the importance of Panama has increased. This canal connects China to the east coast of America. China is alternatively building a canal in Nicaragua, which is posing a challenge to Panama. Nicaragua is building its own canal between the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean with the help of China. The Panama Canal is also being challenged by the Suez Canal. The Suez Canal is also being expanded.

How important and why is Panama Canal for America?

The most movement of American ships is through the Panama Canal. According to the Panama Canal Authority, about 75 percent of cargo ships through the Panama Canal either go to the United States or come from the United States. About $270 billion worth of trade is being done every year through this route, but in recent years the reduction in water in the Panama Canal has had a direct impact on the trade.

So America will have to travel 20 thousand kilometers

If there was no Panama Canal, ships would have to travel a distance of about 20 thousand kilometers to go from Eastern America to Western America or from Europe to Western America. This will take at least two weeks. Through Panama this work is done in 10 to 13 hours. Every day 42 ships pass through this canal. But many of the current ships are 400 meters long and 50 meters wide. The mouth of Panama is too small for them.

America in tension due to Panama getting closer to China

In 2017, Panama ended diplomatic relations with Taiwan and established relations with China. The countries which maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan, China does not maintain them because China considers Taiwan as its part. Due to China’s huge investment, Panama has become its important ally. China has the largest port in Panama. The second port is also with the Chinese company. Actually, two ports of the Panama Canal are operated by a Hong Kong company. This is why Trump had said that the Panama Canal is not for China. This canal has gone into wrong hands.

El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras also gave a shock

Since Panama dealt a blow to the US in 2017, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Nicaragua and in 2023 Honduras have also established relations with China, leaving Taiwan aside. China has invested heavily in these countries under the Built and Road Initiative (BRI). It has built everything from rail lines, roads to airports and ports in these countries. These are the countries from which most illegal refugees enter America from the Mexico border.