The U.S. strategically supported Panama's independence from Colombia in 1903, leading to the controversial Hay Bunau Varilla Treaty just days later. This agreement granted the U.S. control over the canal zone, sparking outrage among Colombians and some Panamanians. With a focus on improving infrastructure and eradicating disease, the U.S. aimed to successfully complete the canal project, learning from the failures of the French.
