http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2010/12/09/heavy-rains-kill-panama-force-canal-close/
A total of 10 people have been confirmed dead due to the Panama Canal's flooding from storms. Panama officials have been forced to temporarily shut down the canal due to the weather. It is the first time the canal will be shut down due to the weather, the most recent time being 1989 when U.S. invaded it. The floods have facilitated the fear that the storms affect water purification. Authorities have not announced when it will re-open, but meterologists predict that the heavy rains will continue until Friday.
The Panama Canal has so much history. Operated first by the U.S, then jointly with Panama, and in 1999 solely by Panama. The canal has been open for 97 years and has severed as an essential part of trade. Even a brief delay must have large effects on trade.
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