Podcast Summary: Todo Concostrina

Episode: Acontece que no es poco | El Canal que dio lugar a un país y la inmediata (y prevista) invasión estadounidense
Date: January 22, 2024
Host: Nieves Concostrina (with Carlos)
Podcast by: SER Podcast

Episode Overview

This episode explores the fascinating, paradoxical birth of Panama—a country essentially created to facilitate the construction of the Panama Canal. Host Nieves Concostrina applies her trademark humor and critical historical perspective to examine the U.S.'s instrumental role in Panama's independence from Colombia and the subsequent control and occupation of the canal zone. The conversation unpacks both the mythology and political realities surrounding Panama’s founding, exposing the calculated interests behind one of the world’s most important engineering projects.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The "Country-Before-the-Canal-or-Canal-Before-the-Country" Dilemma

• Opening Reflection (00:13–01:57):
  Nieves opens with a witty comparison between the creation of the Netherlands (land reclaimed from the sea) and Panama, suggesting both nations “created themselves.” She jokes:

  • “Dios es un chapucero en general… Empezando con el planeta Tierra y siguiendo con el hombre, hizo los hombres. Fatal.” (Nieves, 01:32)

• Panama’s existence as a country is inseparable from its value as a canal route; it didn’t “create” the canal, but was created because of it (to suit U.S. interests).

2. The Historical Context: From Colombia to Independence

• Who Owned Panama Before? (03:33–04:26):
  • Panama was a Colombian department, and its national identity was unstable, wavering between independence and attachment to various neighbors after independence from Spain in 1821.
  • U.S. arrival marks the definitive “decision-maker”: “Llegó Estados Unidos y, mira, echaros a un ladito, que ya decido yo por vosotros cuándo viene mejor.” (Nieves, 04:09)

3. The Two Legends: White and Black

• The White Legend (04:28–05:14):

  • This mythic version tells of heroic Panamanians fighting for freedom and the U.S. as a benevolent savior, siding with the underdog against “oppressive” Colombia.

• The Black (Real) Legend (05:18–07:12):

  • The reality: powerful U.S. (Wall Street) interests colluded with Panamanian elites to secure control of canal construction.
  • After rapid independence in 1903, the U.S. secured an 8-kilometer-wide zone on each side of the canal route, essentially making it their own enclave.
  • Nieves notes the absurdity: “Panamá, muy independiente y mucho independiente. Pero una parte del país estaba por encima de la zona que se quedaron los yanquis y la otra estaba por debajo.” (Nieves, 07:04)

4. The U.S. Zone of Control: “Un país dentro de otro”

• The Canal Zone as a U.S. Colony (07:59–09:55):
  • The canal zone functioned with U.S. law, services, and military presence—“Era un país dividido en dos mitades… Fue una invasión en toda regla. Sin violencia.” (Nieves, 08:19)
  • Official story: The U.S. claimed their presence was to ensure the construction and proper operation of the canal, paying Panama a token rent.

5. Return of the Canal, Lingering Impacts

• Restitution (09:55–11:22):
  • The slow return of the Canal Zone began in 1979 after international and domestic pressure; full transfer happened on December 31, 1999.
  • U.S. left a deep mark, including a unique resident population, the “zonians.”
  • Most controversially, the U.S. operated the infamous “Escuela de las Américas” in Colón, where Latin American officers were trained in repression and military dictatorship.
    • “Lo más perverso que hizo Estados Unidos… fue utilizar con absoluta impunidad unas instalaciones… para el adiestramiento de oficiales… en tácticas represivas.” (Nieves, 11:03)

6. Panamanian Struggles & the Day of the Martyrs

• Conflict and Bloodshed (11:39–13:28):
  • Tensions erupted in 1964 when student protesters tried to raise Panama’s flag in the Canal Zone, leading to the “Day of the Martyrs,” with 27 panamanians killed and the Panamanian flag left in shreds.
    • “Entró un chaval, subió la bandera, hizo la panameña. Hubo una bronca tremenda. Al final, 27 muertos, la bandera panameña hecha jirones.” (Nieves, 12:33)

7. Ongoing Challenges

• The Canal Today (13:28–13:40):
  • The canal remains vital (6% of world trade) but is under environmental threat due to a drop in rainfall: “Hay un caos marítimo en el canal de padre y muy señor mío y no se habla de esto tampoco.” (Nieves, 13:28)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Creation Myths:
  “Dios es un chapucero en general… hizo los hombres. Fatal.” (Nieves, 01:32) “Dios creó el mundo. Los holandeses crearon Holanda. Y Panamá creó el canal. De estas tres cosas, dos son mentira… Fue Panamá la que nació gracias al canal.” (Nieves, 02:09)

• On U.S. Intervention:
  “Llegó Estados Unidos y, mira, echaros a un ladito, que ya decido yo por vosotros cuándo viene mejor.” (Nieves, 04:09)

• On the Canal Zone:
  “Panamá, muy independiente y mucho independiente. Pero una parte del país estaba por encima de la zona que se quedaron los yanquis y la otra estaba por debajo. Como dicen todo por la radio. Ole tu chocho.” (Nieves, 07:04)

• On the Day of the Martyrs:
  “Entró un chaval, subió la bandera, hizo la panameña. Hubo una bronca tremenda. Al final, 27 muertos, la bandera panameña hecha jirones.” (Nieves, 12:33)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 00:52 — Introduction to Panama’s creation and Voltaire’s quote about Netherlands
• 03:33 — Panama’s status under Colombia and the run-up to independence
• 04:28 — White and black legends of Panama’s independence
• 07:59 — The Canal Zone as a U.S.-controlled “country within a country”
• 09:55 — The process of returning the Canal Zone to Panama
• 11:39 — Day of the Martyrs: student protest and violent repression
• 13:28 — Environmental crisis currently affecting the Panama Canal

Conclusion

Nieves Concostrina dismantles the sanitized narratives of Panama’s independence, exposing the direct and self-serving intervention of the United States—not only in creating a nation, but in shaping the destiny of the entire isthmus for nearly a century. The episode combines historical depth with humor and biting critique, closing with a reflection on the current challenges facing the canal and its continued global significance.