US invasion of Panama still resonates across Latin America decades on

Key Concepts

• Operation Just Cause: The US military invasion of Panama in 1989.
• Manuel Noriega: The General of Panama overthrown by the US invasion, accused of drug trafficking, money laundering, and political persecution.
• Panama Canal: A strategically important waterway and a key US interest in Panama.
• US Interventionism: The historical pattern of US involvement in Latin American affairs.
• Psychological Warfare: Tactics used during the invasion to compel Noriega’s surrender.
• Civilian Casualties: Disputed figures regarding deaths of Panamanian civilians during the invasion.

The 1989 US Invasion of Panama: Operation Just Cause

The video details the United States’ intervention in Panama in 1989, known as Operation Just Cause, framing it as a historical precedent to current US policy towards Venezuela and Nicolás Maduro. The intervention was initiated to capture General Manuel Noriega, the de facto ruler of Panama, who was facing charges of drug trafficking, money laundering, and the persecution of political opponents – accusations mirroring those leveled against Maduro.

Military Operation and Noriega’s Capture

Over 27,000 US troops were deployed in Panama with the stated objectives of detaining Noriega, restoring democracy, and safeguarding the Panama Canal, described as “a crucial trade route” and a long-standing US priority. The operation was characterized as one of the largest US military actions in Latin America since the Cold War.

Noriega initially sought asylum within the Vatican embassy in Panama City. However, the US military employed “psychological warfare tactics,” including playing loud music, to pressure him into surrendering. He ultimately yielded and was flown to the United States on January 3rd, 1990, where he was tried, convicted, and imprisoned, eventually dying in 2017.

Casualties and Destruction

The video highlights the significant discrepancy in reported casualty figures. The US government claims approximately 200 civilian and 300 military deaths. However, human rights groups contend that the actual number of fatalities is considerably higher, particularly within the El Chorrillo neighborhood, which suffered extensive damage from firebombing during the conflict.

L. Carlo Mia recounts the death of his father during the invasion, attributing it to mortar fire from US helicopters. He poignantly questions the necessity of destroying a community to apprehend a single individual, stating, “Why did they have to destroy a community to detain one man? Nora, they could have taken him, but no, they destroyed this area, a poor area, and they never took any responsibility for what they did.”

Framing and Historical Context

The US government at the time characterized Operation Just Cause as a “successful operation,” emphasizing its speed, decisiveness, and regime-changing outcome. The video draws a parallel between the rhetoric used to describe the Panama invasion and the language currently employed by the Trump administration regarding Venezuela. However, it stresses that “Venezuela is not Panama,” noting the Venezuelan armed forces are stronger and the US lacks a ground presence, while facing resistance from “thousands of armed civilians.”

Legacy of Interventionism

The invasion remains a deeply traumatic experience for many Panamanians. The video concludes by emphasizing that for many in Latin America, the intervention symbolizes broader patterns of US interventionism in the region. The report is filed from Al Jazeera’s bureau in Panama City, underscoring the lasting impact of the event.