<Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> Panama would remain as a royalist stronghold and outpost until 1821 (the year of Panama's revolution against Spain). Panama City immediately initiated plans to declare independence, but the city of Los Santos preempted the move by proclaiming freedom from Spain on November 10, 1821 . This act precipitated a meeting in Panama City on November 28, which is celebrated as the official date of independence . Considerable discussion followed as to whether Panama should remain part of Colombia (then comprising both the present - day country and Venezuela) or unite with Peru . The bishop of Panama, a native Peruvian who realized the commercial ties that could be developed with his country, argued for the latter solution but was voted down . A third possible course of action, a union with Mexico proposed by emissaries of that country, was rejected . </P> <P> Panama thus became part of Colombia, then governed under the 1821 Constitution of Cúcuta, and was designated a department with two provinces, Panamá and Veraguas . With the addition of Ecuador to the liberated area, the whole country became known as Gran Colombia . Panama sent a force of 700 men to join Simón Bolívar in Peru, where the Peruvian War of Independence continued . </P> <P> The termination of hostilities against the royalists in 1824 failed to bring tranquillity to Gran Colombia . The constitution that Bolívar had drafted for Bolivia was put forward by him to be adopted in Gran Colombia . The country was divided principally over the proposal that a president would serve for life . The president would not be responsible to the legislature and would have power to select his vice president . Other provisions, generally centralist in their tendencies, were repugnant to some, while a few desired a monarchy . Panama escaped armed violence over the constitutional question but joined other regions in petitioning Bolívar to assume dictatorial powers until a convention could meet . Panama announced its union with Gran Colombia as a "Hanseatic State", i.e., as an autonomous area with special trading privileges until the convention was held . </P>

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