<P> Colombia , France , and later the United States controlled the territory surrounding the canal during construction . The U.S. continued to control the canal and surrounding Panama Canal Zone until the 1977 Torrijos -- Carter Treaties provided for handover to Panama . After a period of joint American -- Panamanian control , in 1999 the canal was taken over by the Panamanian government and is now managed and operated by the government - owned Panama Canal Authority . </P>
who owns and operates the panama canal today
in 1999 the canal was taken over by the Panamanian government and is now managed and operated by the government - owned Panama Canal Authority