By NIDIA DIAZ, Granma International

Remilitarizing the Panama Canal. U.S. warship in Panama Canal, part of Panamax 2005 military exercises, in which the Canadian Forces also participated
HAVANA (May 12, 2006) – ON APRIL 24, Martín Torrijos, president of Panama, announced the official proposal for the extension of the Canal, consisting of the construction of a third lock with a view to the so-called Panamax boats, superior in depth to the current Panamax, transiting that inter-ocean route. From that point and even long before, voices have been raised to renege on that decision, approval of which is to go before Parliament and a national referendum.
Viability studies on the project were undertaken by the ACP (Panama Canal Authority) and its executive, while the president has made the green light conditional on – in the first place – the amplification being self-financing, meaning that the investment would have to be recouped from progressive increases in tolls and not via taxes on the population. Continue reading →