Posted on Dec 20, 2025
The U.S. invades Panama | December 20, 1989 | HISTORY
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The United States invades Panama in an attempt to overthrow military dictator Manuel Noriega, who had been indicted in the United States on drug trafficking charges and was accused of suppressing democracy in Panama and endangering U.S. nationals. Noriega’s Panamanian Defense Forces (PDF) were promptly crushed, forcing the dictator to seek asylum with the Vatican anuncio in Panama City, where he surrendered on January 3, 1990.
In 1970, Noriega, a rising figure in the Panamanian military, was recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to assist in the U.S. struggle against the spread of communism in Central America. Noriega became involved in drug trafficking and in 1977 was removed from the CIA payroll. After the Marxist Sandinista government came to power in 1979, Noriega was brought back into the CIA fold. In 1983, he became military dictator of Panama.
In 1970, Noriega, a rising figure in the Panamanian military, was recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to assist in the U.S. struggle against the spread of communism in Central America. Noriega became involved in drug trafficking and in 1977 was removed from the CIA payroll. After the Marxist Sandinista government came to power in 1979, Noriega was brought back into the CIA fold. In 1983, he became military dictator of Panama.
The U.S. invades Panama | December 20, 1989 | HISTORY
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Panama
Operation Just Cause
Posted 17 d ago
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My squad relieved the Rangers at Noriega's Rio Hato house. The Rangers had opened his front door (bulletproof glass) with an AT-4. Here's me in his driveway.
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I was with the 82nd and was part of the airborne operation. December 20th also happens to be my dad's birthday. Since there was no communication allowed, he found out where I was when he turned on the news that morning.
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