Tension between the US and Panama had been simmering for many years and relations between the two were always in balance. The scales eventually tipped in 1963 when nationalistic Panamanians took to the streets in protest of America's 'titular sovereignty' over the Canal Zone where only the American flag was allowed to be hoisted. What initially started out as protests ended in violent riots after demands for the [P 019 / Panamanian flag] to be flown in the Canal Zone were not met. After much bloodshed and violence an agreement was signed between the two states that stated both flags would be flown in the zone area.
