Events of the United States Invasion of Panama By Paulina.Diaz 1970 Noriega is admitted into CIA 1977 Noriega is removed from CIA 1979 Marxist Sandinista Government Rises to Power 1983 Noriega becomes Military Dictator of Panama 1984 Noriega commits fraud in Panama Presidential election 1988 Noreiga is convicted of drug trafficking in Tampa and Miami Jan 3, 1989 Manuel Noriega surrenders in Panama City Dec 16, 1989 US Marine is shot to death in Panama Dec 20, 1989 US Invades Panama Dec 24, 1989 PDF is crushed and surrendered