Final answer:
The US wanted to build the Panama Canal for various reasons, but NOT to make a presence in Latin America.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is To make a presence in Latin America.
The United States wanted to build the Panama Canal for several reasons, including making travel by ship faster from one coast to the other, making it easier to transport the US military from one ocean to another, and making it cheaper to transport goods. However, the main reason for building the canal was to establish a stronger presence in Latin America. By controlling this strategic waterway, the US aimed to increase its influence in the region and have greater access to trade routes between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
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