A student protest in 1964 exposed a deeper struggle over sovereignty and control of the Panama Canal. This incident marked a turning point in the history of relations between Panama and the United States. Students protested against the presence of the US in the canal zone, leading to violent clashes. As a result, dozens were killed and hundreds injured. The events of 1964 significantly impacted negotiations for the canal's transfer to Panamanian jurisdiction. Ultimately, this led to the signing of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties in 1977, which finalized the canal's handover to Panama by 1999. The memory of those events remains an important part of Panama's national identity.
