Panama's Manuel Noriega: From power to prison
- Published
Panama's former military strongman Manuel Noriega has died aged 83.
He assumed control of the National Guard in 1983 and became the de facto ruler of Panama.
His strong opposition to the spread of communism in Latin America made him a key ally of the United States.
But his links to drug traffickers in Colombia and his increasingly repressive tactics within Panama soon soured that relationship.
The US invaded Panama in 1989 and Noriega sought refuge in the Vatican's diplomatic mission. US troops were stationed outside the embassy and played deafening pop music to get him to leave. He was there from 23 December 1989 until 3 January 1990.
On 3 January 1990, Noriega surrendered and was flown by US Drug Enforcement Administration officials to Miami to stand trial.
A US court found Noriega guilty of drug trafficking, racketeering and money laundering.
Noriega's once luxurious mansion outside Panama City was demolished in 2014 after the authorities ruled it posed a risk to health because it was a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Noriega also served time in a French prison before being sent back to Panama in December 2011. By this time his health was deteriorating and he was in a wheelchair.
In January 2017, a judge granted Noriega house arrest to prepare for surgery for a brain tumour.
- Published30 May 2017
- Published30 May 2017
