Manuel Noriega was a Panamanian general and dictator who ruled from 1983 to 1989. He attended military school in Peru and became a career soldier. He supported his mentor, Omar Torrijos, and was made head of military intelligence. Noriega enjoyed good relations with the US until he was indicted on federal drug charges in 1989. The US invaded Panama, and Noriega took refuge in the Holy See’s embassy. He surrendered and was taken to the US, where he was sentenced to 40 years in prison and fined millions of dollars.
Manuel Antonio Noriega Moreno was born on February 11, 1934 in Panama City. Noriega is most famous for being a Panamanian general and dictator. He ruled Panama from 1983 to 1989. However, he was never the official president of the country. Instead, he has asserted an iron grip as the country’s de facto military leader.
Manuel Noriega attended the Chorrillos Military School in Lima, Peru. After his training, he became a career soldier. In 1967 he served in the National Guard. He became a lieutenant in the late 1960s.
After the removal from power of Arnulfo Arias, the country’s civilian leader, Manuel Noriega supported his mentor, Omar Torrijos, helping him in military struggles. Torrijos rewarded him by making him lieutenant colonel and making him head of military intelligence. In the performance of his duties, he waged a campaign, which has been described as ruthless, against the guerrillas of western Panama. Furthermore, he is said to have been responsible for the disappearance of a number of political individuals. Telling a very different story, Manuel Noriega has often claimed to have arranged amnesty for hundreds of guerrillas, allowing them to return to Panama after being exiled to other countries.
In 1981, Omar Torrijos died in a plane crash. Noriega is said to have planted a bomb on the plane, causing the crash. Torrijos was replaced by Ruben Dario Pareds and Noriega was promoted to Chief of Staff. Although Paredes had been commander of the Panamanian Defense Forces, he gave up his job at Noriega to run for president. Noriega later backed out of the deal to have Paredes make a bid for the presidency, and in 1983, Noriega gave himself the title of general.
At first, Manuel Noriega enjoyed good relations with the United States, nurturing a strong alliance between the two countries. He also worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for about 10 years, starting in the 1970s. Although he has not been proven, he is said to have played a role in the 1968 coup against Arnulfo Arias, successfully removing Arias from leadership. Noriega, however, claimed he was never involved in the coup.
Over the years, Manuel Noriega was known for fixing elections and putting down protests that fell short of his political agenda. However, he maintained US support until 1989, when the Drug Enforcement Administration indicted him on federal drug charges. In the years that followed, his relationship with the United States steadily declined and attempts were made to remove him from power. In 1989, George HW Bush ordered the invasion of Panama. Noriega responded by taking refuge in the Apostolic Nunciature, the Holy See’s embassy in Panama.
US troops camped around the building and attempted to force it out by constantly playing hard-rock music and the Howard Stern Show. A few days later, a crowd of thousands of Panamanians staged a demonstration, demanding Noriega’s surrender. Even under pressure from the Vatican, Manuel Noriega surrendered on January 3, 1990. He was taken to the United States, tried and sentenced to 40 years in prison. He was also fined millions of US dollars.
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