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About:
Manuel Noriega was the military leader of Panama during the 1980's, and was targeted by the US because he was a known drug trafficker. Though the president at the time, Richard Nixon wanted to assassinate Noriega, he chose to keep him on CIA payroll instead ("1968-1990: The Invasion of Panama and US Intervention"). Noriega began working with the U.S and had contacts not only with the CIA but also Cuba, Nicaragua, and the Columbian drug cartels. Noriega replaced former acts to benefit himself and to help the Panamanian military rule the country ("Manuel Noriega"). The US began to lose trust with Noriega, and indicted him for racketeering, laundering drug money, and smuggling drugs. In response 10 months later, the United States military launches "Operation Just Cause" to take down Noriega ("Manuel Noriega Fast Facts"). 24,000 American soldiers were ordered by President George Bush to invade Panama and take down Manuel Noriega ("Manuel Noriega"). On January 3, 1990, Noriega approached the US at the Embassy gates where he was forced to surrender and was put into custody by the U.S. DEA. Nine days later, "Operation Just Cause" officially ended ("Edge of War - Taking Down Noriega (Full Episode)").
Timeline:
1983- Noriega becomes military dictator of Panama
June 1986- Exposure in the New York Times accuses him of murder, drug trafficking, and money laundering
February 1989- Noriega indicted for racketeering, drug money laundering, and drug trafficking
December 1989- "Operation Just Cause" launched to take down Noriega, which involved the US troops invading Panama
January 1990- Noriega surrenders to US troops
(Timeline- "Manuel Noriega Fast Facts")
Primary Sources
~Noriega Take Down- https://vimeo.com/72126300 (40:50)
~President George Bush's Letter Ordering the US to take down Noriega:
Memorandum for the Secretary of Defense
Subject: Panama
In the course of carrying out the military operation in Panama which I have directed, I hereby direct and authorize the units and members of the Armed Forces of the United States to apprehend General Manuel Noriega and any other persons in Panama currently under indictment in the United States for drug-related offenses. I further direct that any persons apprehended pursuant to this directive are to be turned over to civil law enforcement officials of the United States as soon as practicable. I also authorize and direct members of the Armed Forces of the United States to detain and arrest any persons apprehended pursuant to this directive if, in their judgment, such action is necessary.
George Bush