In 1903, the United States signed the Hay -Herran Treaty with Colombia which granted the United States use of the Ismuth canal, in exchange for payment. The Colombian senate refused to sign the treaty due to fears of losing sovereignty.
The United States responded by approving to a rebellion by Panama nationalists which started November 3 1903.
To help the rebels, the US removed its trains from the northern terminus of Colon, leaving Colombian troops that had been sent to put down the rebellion, stranded.
It is not clear if the U.S. gave any money or arms to the Panama rebels. The U.S. only withdrew the trains and also brought the U.S. warship Nashville to be on standby at Panama, which caused the Colombian forces to be discouraged from marching on Panama.
