Omar Torrijos was a Panamanian military leader and politician who served as the de facto ruler of Panama from 1968 until his death in 1981. He came to power through a coup and was known for implementing social reforms, including land redistribution and improvements in education and healthcare. Torrijos aimed to reduce U.S. influence in Panama and sought to negotiate the return of the Panama Canal to Panamanian control. Torrijos is best remembered for the Torrijos-Carter Treaties, signed in 1977, which established a timeline for the transfer of the Panama Canal from the United States to Panama. His leadership style was characterized by a mix of authoritarianism and populism, and he remains a controversial figure in Panamanian history. Torrijos died in a plane crash in 1981, which some believe was politically motivated.