PANAMA-SPAIN-CANAL-WORKS

Cargo ships sail next to Gatun locks, waiting for their turn to reach the Atlantic Ocean, at the Panama Canal, on January 12, 2014. The Grupo Unidos por el Canal (GUPC) consortium led by Spanish builder Sacyr --which includes Italian, Belgian and Panamanian companies-- has threatened to suspend the expansion work by January 20 unless Panama pays for $1.6 billion in "unforeseen" costs. The Panama Canal Authority proposed the creation of a special $283 million fund to ensure the work continues, but the companies asked for a larger contribution from the Panamanians. AFP PHOTO / Rodrigo ARANGUA (Photo credit should read RODRIGO ARANGUA/AFP via Getty Images)