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Noriega indicted on drug-related charges and US forces begin to plan operations in Panama.
During the early years of 1988, after the unexplained death of Omar Torrijos, Noriega was suspected of gun trafficking (smuggling), money laundering, torture, murder, and selling U.S. information and technology to Cuba and Eastern European governments. Noriega denied claims and in June 1987, Colonel Roberto Diaz Herrera told media the election of 1984 was rigged along with the death of Hugo Spadafora, the man who accused Noriega of drug trafficking was ordered. -
Manuel Noriega becomes dictator of Panama.
Omar Torrijos, commander of Panama died unexpectedly in 1981 giving Manuel Noriega the position of leadership.During this time, Noriega was accused of human, drug, and gun trafficking forcing Panamanians to connect the death of Torrijos to Noriega and held riots to remove Noriega. In order to remain in control, Noriega suspended constitutional rights, closed newspapers and radio stations, and drove his political enemies into exile. -
U.S. forces alerted, marshaled, and launched.
On December 19, 1989 Geroge Bush, the president at the time called for "Operation Just Cause" in order to improve the nation's image as well as prevent Noriega from further action. Bush launched a full-scale attack using the excuse of Panama firing at US soldiers passing through headquarters and Noreiga's statement of declaration of war. -
Invasion of Panama begins.
On December 20, 1989 the United States launched "Operation Just Cause" due to four reasons, protecting the lives of American citizans in Panama, defending democracy and human rights in Panama , stopping human trafficking and drug dealing. The United States sent over twenty four thousand troops and the fighting lasted four days. -
Norriega surrenders to US forces and the Invasion of Panama is over.
During the Invasion of Panama, Noriega escaped but was later captured and found hiding in Apostolic Nunciature, the Holy See's embassy in Panama. Noriega surrenders on Janruary 3, 1990 and was brought to Miami for trial. He was found guilty and sentenced to forty years in prison along with paying 44 million dollars to the Panamanian government. -
Operation "Just Cause" ends.
On Janruary 12, 1990, "Operation Just Cause" ends and troops are withdrawn. The operation was extremely short and had a nice, tidy ending with the surrender of Manuel Noriega three weeks after the US dropping in. There were 23 killed and 324 wounded.
