Manuel Antonio Noriega, born on February 11, 1934, in Panama, was a military officer who rose to power as the de facto leader of Panama from 1983 to 1989. His complex legacy includes a rise through the ranks of the Panamanian military, a close relationship with the United States intelligence community, involvement in drug trafficking, and eventual downfall following a U.S. invasion. This article delves into the life of Manuel Noriega, exploring his path to power, his infamous reign, and the consequences of his actions that reverberated across the world.
Early Life and Military Beginnings
Manuel Noriega’s early life was marked by hardship. Born into a poor family in Panama City, Noriega’s father abandoned the family when he was still a child, and he was raised by his mother and later by his godmother. Despite these challenges, Noriega showed academic promise and eventually attended the prestigious Instituto Nacional, a top secondary school in Panama. His interest in military affairs led him to join the National Guard, Panama’s primary military force, where he quickly demonstrated leadership potential.
After completing his initial military training, Noriega received a scholarship to attend the Chorrillos Military School in Lima, Peru. His education continued with specialized training in the United States, where he attended various military courses, including counterinsurgency, psychological warfare, and intelligence operations. These experiences would prove instrumental in shaping his career and his eventual rise to power.
Rise to Power: From Intelligence Chief to Military Strongman
Noriega’s rise through the ranks of the Panamanian military was swift. In 1968, he played a crucial role in supporting a coup led by General Omar Torrijos, which ousted President Arnulfo Arias and established a military dictatorship in Panama. Torrijos rewarded Noriega by appointing him as the head of military intelligence. In this role, Noriega became one of Torrijos’s most trusted aides, gaining a reputation for his effectiveness and ruthlessness.
As head of intelligence, Noriega was responsible for suppressing opposition to the regime, and he did so with brutal efficiency. He also developed close ties with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), which saw him as a valuable ally in the Cold War, particularly in efforts to counter leftist movements in Central America. Noriega’s relationship with the CIA would later become a central element of his complex legacy.
When Torrijos died in a plane crash in 1981, Noriega seized the opportunity to consolidate his power. By 1983, he had become the head of the Panamanian Defense Forces (PDF), effectively making him the most powerful man in Panama. While Panama remained officially under civilian rule, Noriega was the true power behind the scenes, controlling the government through his military might.
The Reign of Manuel Noriega: A Period of Fear and Corruption
Under Noriega’s rule, Panama became a hub of criminal activity, particularly drug trafficking and money laundering. Despite his ties to the United States, Noriega used his position to facilitate the trafficking of narcotics, particularly cocaine, through Panama and into the United States. This dual role—as a U.S. ally and a drug trafficker—illustrates the complexities and contradictions of Noriega’s regime.
Noriega’s involvement in drug trafficking was extensive. He worked closely with the Medellín Cartel, one of the most powerful drug cartels in the world, and provided them with safe passage through Panama in exchange for substantial financial rewards. The revenue from drug trafficking allowed Noriega to amass considerable wealth, which he used to bolster his control over the Panamanian military and government.
In addition to drug trafficking, Noriega’s regime was marked by widespread corruption and human rights abuses. Political opponents were often imprisoned, tortured, or killed, and the media was tightly controlled to prevent dissent. Noriega’s rule instilled fear throughout the country, and his reputation as a brutal dictator grew both within Panama and internationally.
U.S. Relations and the Path to Downfall
Despite Noriega’s criminal activities, his relationship with the United States remained complex. Throughout much of the 1980s, the U.S. government continued to support Noriega, largely because of his cooperation with the CIA and his strategic importance in the region. However, as Noriega’s involvement in drug trafficking became increasingly apparent, the U.S. government began to distance itself from him.
The turning point came in 1987 when Colonel Roberto Díaz Herrera, a former close associate of Noriega, publicly accused him of a wide range of crimes, including drug trafficking, electoral fraud, and the murder of political opponents. These accusations led to widespread protests in Panama and increased international scrutiny of Noriega’s regime. In response, the U.S. government imposed economic sanctions on Panama, and a federal court in Florida indicted Noriega on drug trafficking charges.
Noriega’s grip on power began to weaken as popular opposition grew and the U.S. government intensified its pressure. In 1988, Panamanian President Eric Arturo Delvalle attempted to remove Noriega from his position as head of the PDF. However, Noriega quickly countered by removing Delvalle from office and installing a puppet government loyal to him. This move only further isolated Noriega internationally and set the stage for the dramatic events that would follow.
The 1989 U.S. Invasion of Panama: Operation Just Cause
By 1989, tensions between Noriega and the United States had reached a boiling point. The situation escalated further when Noriega annulled the results of the 1989 presidential election, in which his opponent, Guillermo Endara, had won a decisive victory. In response, the United States launched Operation Just Cause on December 20, 1989, a massive military invasion aimed at removing Noriega from power.
The invasion, which involved over 27,000 U.S. troops and a coordinated assault on key military and government targets in Panama, was one of the largest U.S. military operations since the Vietnam War. The official rationale for the invasion included the protection of U.S. citizens in Panama, the restoration of democracy, and the need to bring Noriega to justice for his involvement in drug trafficking.
Despite his control over the PDF, Noriega was unable to withstand the overwhelming force of the U.S. military. After several days of intense fighting, Noriega sought refuge in the Vatican Embassy in Panama City. For ten days, he remained holed up inside the embassy, surrounded by U.S. troops who blasted loud rock music in an attempt to force him out. On January 3, 1990, Noriega finally surrendered to U.S. authorities and was immediately flown to Miami to face trial.
Trial, Imprisonment, and Extradition
Manuel Noriega’s trial in the United States was a major international event. In 1992, he was convicted on eight counts of drug trafficking, racketeering, and money laundering. The trial revealed the extent of Noriega’s criminal activities, including his connections to the Medellín Cartel and his involvement in the global drug trade. He was sentenced to 40 years in prison, though this was later reduced to 30 years due to good behavior and cooperation with authorities.
Noriega’s imprisonment in the United States marked the beginning of a lengthy legal saga that would see him transferred between multiple countries. In 2010, after serving 17 years in a U.S. prison, Noriega was extradited to France, where he faced charges of money laundering. The French courts convicted him, and he was sentenced to seven years in prison.
In 2011, Noriega was once again extradited, this time to Panama, where he faced further charges related to human rights abuses committed during his time in power. By this time, Noriega was in poor health, suffering from multiple ailments, including a brain tumor. He was eventually placed under house arrest, where he spent the final years of his life.
Death and Legacy
Manuel Noriega died on May 29, 2017, at the age of 83, following complications from surgery to remove a benign brain tumor. His death marked the end of a life that had been both highly influential and deeply controversial.
Noriega’s legacy is a complex one. To many, he is remembered as a ruthless dictator who terrorized Panama and engaged in widespread criminal activity. His involvement in drug trafficking, human rights abuses, and corruption left a lasting stain on Panama’s history. However, Noriega’s life also serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of international relations and the unintended consequences of Cold War-era alliances.
In Panama, the memory of Noriega remains divisive. For some, he is a figure of infamy, a symbol of the dark days of dictatorship. For others, particularly those who benefited from his rule, he is remembered as a patriot who stood up to U.S. intervention in Latin America. Regardless of one’s perspective, Noriega’s impact on Panama and the broader region is undeniable.
Conclusion
Manuel Noriega’s life story is a dramatic tale of power, corruption, and downfall. From his early days as a military officer to his rise as the de facto ruler of Panama, Noriega’s career was marked by ambition and ruthlessness. His involvement in drug trafficking and his brutal suppression of dissent earned him a notorious reputation, while his complex relationship with the United States highlights the often-murky world of international politics.
Noriega’s eventual downfall, precipitated by a U.S. invasion and a series of legal battles, underscores the perils of absolute power and the fragility of authoritarian regimes. His legacy, though tarnished, continues to serve as a reminder of the dangers of unchecked authority and the enduring impact of historical events on a nation’s psyche.
