The U.S. acquired the rights to build and operate the canal in the early 20th century, but at the time, Panama was in the process of seceding from Colombia, whose senate was refusing to ratify a treaty that would allow the canal to be built, according to the State Department's Office of the Historian .

President-elect Trump announced that Kevin Marino Cabrera is his pick to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Panama.