A plan, a canal

The week's news at a glance.

Panama City, Panama

Panamanian voters last week approved a $5.25 billion government plan to upgrade the Panama Canal. The project, which won almost 80 percent of the vote in a nationwide referendum, will double the 50-mile canal’s capacity, by adding a third channel big enough to handle today’s giant container ships. Opponents objected to the project’s cost and potential for spawning corruption, but voters accepted President Martín Torrijos’ argument that the renovation would ensure Panama’s prosperity. “This country needs this project to join the First World,” said businessman Joaquín Rodríguez.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us