The Capture of Manuel Noriega
Operation Just Cause
Manuel Noriega was a Panamanian soldier and the military leader of
Panama from 1983 to 1989. He had a quick rise to power and a violent
regime. By the end of 1980 his leadership became so violent and
unacceptable that he was overthrown and captured by US invading forces in
a mission called "Operation Just Cause." He was imprisoned in 1992.
Manuel Noreiga was born in Panama City. He suffered severe acne and
was nicknamed "Pineapple Face" because of scars left on his face. He was
educated in Panama and in a Military school in Lima Peru. He received a
commission in the National Guard in 1967 and was promoted to Lieutenant
in 1968. He was also part of the group that removed Arnulfo Arias from
Power. The new leader, Omar Torrihjos Herrera appointed him Chief of
Military intelligence. He was ruthless in this position and political
opponents disappeared.
Gen. Manuel Noriega is escorted onto a U.S. Air Fo...
English: Flames engulf a building following the ou...
English: cropped version of File:Manuel Noriega mu...When Torrijos died in a plane crash, in 1981
Noriega became Chief of Staff. In 1983 he promoted himself to general and
by 1984, he had handpicked a man as candidate for President in the first
Presidential election since 1972. Nicolas Ardito Barletta had little power
and was replaced by his vice president Eric Arturo Delvalle. Five different
governments had ruled in Panama before Manuel Noriega had established
himself in power.
Since the mid-1960s Noriega had some CIA connections, but was always
following his own interests: already at that time he was involved in illegal
activities, like drugs, smuggling, money laundering, and selling US military
secrets to Cuba. There were also reports about his connections to the M-19
guerillas in Columbia. About this time Noriega started openly and directly
antagonizing even the USA and by 1989 the US troops deployed along...