As far back as 1534, the Spanish crown ordered the first study ... In 1903, the U.S. pushed for the independence of Panama, then a province of Colombia, in a prelude to the U.S.’s canal venture.

v. 60 in the Canal Zone.) Chiari’s father was one of the leaders in Panama’s fight for independence from Colombia, soon after built up a fortune in cattle and sugar. When the family fell on ...