The Ouster and Death of Manuel Noriega

For nearly a month until Noriega surrendered on January 20, 1990, thousands of Panamanians were killed or wounded, many thousands more displaced. Residential neighborhoods were attacked and destroyed in parts of the country’s poorest areas, including by incendiary devices used to torch structures. Tanks crushed victims. Panamanian defense force members, civilians, journalists and others were executed in cold blood on the pretext of wanting Noriega captured. Washington knew where he was, but permitted a killing rampage in the operation against him amounting to gratuitous slaughter.

George H.W. Bush justifies United States military intervention (Operation Just Cause (sic)) in Panama in terms of "Noriega's attacks on Americans."  The Pentagon p.r. teams always choose Orwellian names for US crimes, and in a thoroughly idiotized population few notice and even fewer care. He vows to uphold democracy in Panama and to fully implement the Panama Canal treaties. [December 20th, 1989] Few if any American presidents leave office without staining their hands in blood.

In the aftermath, Bush despicably said it was “worth it.” He proved his cojones by mass slaughter and destruction, a US specialty, notably in Korea, Southeast Asia, the rape of Yugoslavia and post-9/11 rampaging.

Horrendous war crimes didn’t matter. America’s killing machine was back in business - today raging out-of-control. Once Noriega fell out of favor for not cooperating with Washington’s contra war on Nicaragua, denigrating him followed. Scoundrel media whipped up accusations of human rights abuses, drugs trafficking and other crimes - true enough, but when he was a valued asset, it didn’t matter.

Noriega's anti-Washington, pro Panama nationalist stance was supported by Cuba. Such things don't sit well with the Godfather.

[dropcap]O[/dropcap]nce no longer the guy Washington wanted in charge, his fate was sealed, vilifying propaganda creating a pretext for removing him. On the day of Bush’s Panama invasion, US-appointed puppet leader Guillermo Endara was sworn in as the nation’s president along with two vice presidents at Fort Clayton, one of numerous US Panama Canal Zone military  bases. While operations were still ongoing, the General Assembly overwhelmingly passed a resolution calling America’s invasion a “flagrant violation of international law and of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the States.” A Security Council resolution was vetoed by Washington, Britain, and France - partners in high crimes of war earlier, then and now.