Insights from a Panamanian Economist

7/14/2026

In a stroke of luck and persistence, but maybe not in that order, I landed an interview with Adolfo Quintero, a leading academic and professional economist in Panama, and Professor at the University of Panama.  I asked him a number of questions relevant to my research paper, and among them:

• What does he think of recent US rhetoric to “take back” the Panama Canal? Are his views more of a majority view in Panama, or a minority view?

• What purpose/strategy does he think this rhetoric serves?

• How are the relations between the US and Panama, from his perspective?  How about the overall Panamanian perspective?

• What influence does China have in Panama?

• How interested is Panama in relations with China?

• How does Panama manage its own sovereignty in light of foreign interest in the Panama Canal?

• Looking back historically at the Panama Canal, what time period marks the most celebrated period for Panamanians?  What period of “foreign involvement” (or lack thereof) do Panamanians appreciate the most?

• How much of the economics of Panama is tied to the Panama Canal?

• Does the US receive any favoritism in Panama?

• If Panamanians were polled, what percentage would he estimate believe that China has a significant influence in Panama?

• How do you predict the new Mexican “land” canal will affect the economic power of the Panama canal and has it already?

Professor Quintero’s insights will factor heavily into my research paper, so I’m not going to repeat them here. Suffice to say, many answers surprised me and others did not. What was most surprising, and ironic actually, is that Professor Quintero emphasized how Panamanians do not take US rhetoric seriously, but yet, US terms and conditions at the canal heavily favor the US.  In addition, China has little to no influence in Panama, though China would like to have more.  All of this, and more, is a part of my research and I’m grateful to Professor Quintero for his time, thoughtful answers and guidance.