The United States, particularly under President Theodore Roosevelt, subtly encouraged Panama's independence from Colombia in 1903 to facilitate the construction of the Panama Canal. The U.S. government supported a revolution in Panama, believing that an independent Panama would be more amenable to granting the necessary lease for the canal. After Panama declared independence, the U.S. quickly recognized the new government and secured the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty, which granted the U.S. control over the canal zone.
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