The Panama Canal fence was a separation barrier built by the United States in the Panama Canal Zone that divided the Republic of Panama into two separate sections. The Canal Zone, primarily consisting of the Panama Canal, was a strip of land running from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean. The fence, also called “Fence of Shame” and "another Berlin Wall” portrayed the centre of geopolitical and diplomatic turmoil between the United States and the Republic of Panama. Some evidences suggest construction, breaking and repairs of the fence while others including many aerial photographs and Life magazine (January 24, 1964) confirm that there was no such physical barrier between the Canal Zone and Panama. Background Panama gained independence from Colombia with the assistance of the United States and was recognized as a separate state in 1903. Diplomatic relations were established on November 13, 1903 between the United States and Panama. Both countries signed the Hay-Bunau-Varilla treaty. The treaty provided the United States with sovereignty over the Canal Zone. In exchange, the Republic of Panama received a $10 million payment and additional annual payments which began with the opening of the canal. In addition to this purchase from Panama, the United States bought the title to all lands in the Canal Zone, including a payment of $40 million to the French Canal Company for their properties. Amid much resentment among Panamanians, the treaty granted the Canal Zone, a strip 5 miles (8.0 km) wide on each side of the Panama Canal, in perpetuity to the United States to build, manage, strengthen and defend an inter-oceanic canal. The Canal Zone which became a U.S. territory and had its own police, post offices, courts, television and radio stations. The Panama Canal fence, dubbed as “Fence of Shame” and "The other Berlin Wall”. was the demarcation line between the Canal Zone and Republic of Panama. Construction Due to lack of evidence in the knowledge base, the dimensions of the fence or the construction details are not available. According to McPherson (2002) the "construction started at the end of the 1950s when Panamanian students threatened with a "patriotic invasion" " Beginning of the end A scuffle between Zonian and Panamanian high school students over hosting Panamanian and US flags in the Canal Zone erupted into a protest on January 9, 1964. This was a result of an ongoing flag hosting dispute between US and Panama,