The Panama Canal is owned and operated by Panama. Since 1999, full control over the canal and its operations has been transferred from the United States to the Panamanian government, specifically to the Panama Canal Authority (Autoridad del Canal de Panamá, ACP), a Panamanian government agency responsible for managing the waterway and its related facilities.

Key points

• Historical transition: The 1977 Torrijos-Caredo treaties set the framework for transferring control from the United States to Panama, culminating in the final handover at the end of 1999.

• Current operator: The Panama Canal Authority administers the canal, its locks, and associated infrastructure, and oversees transit operations and maintenance.

• Geopolitical context: While ownership rests with Panama, discussions occasionally surface about strategic implications for global trade and regional influence, but the canal’s control remains Panamanian.

If you’d like, I can pull the latest official statements from Panama or a reputable reference to confirm any recent developments or policy changes related to canal governance.