<P> In short, the experience of over half a century has shown Colombia to be utterly incapable of keeping order on the Isthmus . Only the active interference of the United States has enabled her to preserve so much as a semblance of sovereignty . Had it not been for the exercise by the United States of the police power in her interest, her connection with the Isthmus would have been sundered long ago . </P> <P> Treaties like the Bidlack - Mallarino Treaty were considered constitutional and legal, even though they involved US interference in matters of a sovereign country . Roosevelt's speeches made clear that the US decided to unilaterally break with the Bidlack - Mallarino treaty and, instead of solving the internal Panamanian problem as the treaty stipulated, helped Panama to separate from Colombia . Thus it enforced only that part of the treaty which was of interest to the US, namely, "it granted the US significant transit rights over the Panamanian isthmus". </P> <P> It is a common mistake to call the 1903 events' Panama's independence from Colombia' . Panamanians do not consider themselves former Colombians . They celebrate their independence from Spain on November 28, 1821, and separation from Colombia on November 3, 1903, which is referred to as "Separation Day". </P> <P> The reaction to the treaty in the US was generally positive, public support for building a canal (as the treaty effectively guaranteed) having already been high . The Panamanian reaction, however, was more mixed . Although the new Panamanian government, led by Manuel Amador, was happy to have its independence from Colombia, they also knew that the US could easily assert itself over them if it felt they were not working in line with its interests . They had instructed their ambassador, Bunau - Varilla, to not make any agreements with the US that would compromise Panama's new freedom, nor could he make a canal treaty without consulting them . Both of these orders were ignored . Nevertheless, the Panamanian government, fearing the alternative, ratified the treaty . </P>

Panama declared itself independence of what country in 1903
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