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In 1885, when Colombia limited its military presence in Panama in order to send more troops to fight rebels in Cartagena, the US Navy intervened in Panama to maintain peace as the US had rights to do so to protect its transit rights in the isthmus as per an 1846 treaty between the US and Colombia. Colombian Marines showed up shortly after to restore order in Panama and the US marine contingent in the area supported them.

Chile, responding to the US intervention, sent a cruiser to Panama City with the intention of prevention a potential US annexation of Panama. By the time the Chileans showed up though, the Colombians and Americans had handled the situation and the Americans had moved out.

What if things had been a bit messier in 1885 and the Chileans and Americans had come to blows?
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