Invasion of Panama

Invasion of Panama
LLs · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Conflict	Invasion of Panama
Date	December 20, 1989 – January 31, 1990
Place	Panama
Combatant1	United States
Combatant2	Panama
Commander1	George H.W. Bush, Norman Schwarzkopf Jr.
Commander2	Manuel Noriega
Strength1	27,000 troops
Strength2	12,000 troops
Casualties1	23 killed
Casualties2	205-314 killed

Invasion of Panama. The United States launched a military operation in Panama on December 20, 1989, with the primary objective of overthrowing the Panamanian Defense Forces and capturing Manuel Noriega, the dictator of Panama. The invasion was authorized by President George H.W. Bush, who was advised by National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell. The United States Army, United States Navy, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps participated in the invasion, which was supported by the CIA and the FBI.

Background

The invasion was preceded by a series of events, including the 1989 Panamanian general election, which was won by the opposition candidate Guillermo Endara, but was annulled by Manuel Noriega. The United States had imposed economic sanctions on Panama in 1988, which had a significant impact on the Panamanian economy. The Panamanian Defense Forces had also become increasingly involved in narcotics trafficking, which was a major concern for the United States Department of State and the DEA. The United States had also been concerned about the Panama Canal, which was a critical waterway controlled by the Panama Canal Commission. The Treaty of Versailles and the Kellogg-Briand Pact had established the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of other countries, but the United States argued that its actions were necessary to protect its national security and the human rights of the Panamanian people.

The Invasion

The invasion began on December 20, 1989, with a series of air raids and amphibious assaults by the United States military. The 82nd Airborne Division and the 101st Airborne Division were among the units that participated in the invasion, which was supported by F-117 Nighthawk stealth aircraft and AH-64 Apache helicopters. The United States Navy also played a key role in the invasion, with the USS America (CV-66) and the USS Independence (CV-62) providing air support and amphibious transport. The invasion was opposed by the Panamanian Defense Forces, which were led by Manuel Noriega and included units such as the Panamanian Army and the Panamanian Navy. The invasion was also opposed by Cuban and Nicaraguan militias, which had been trained by the Soviet Union and the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces.

Operation Just Cause

The invasion was code-named Operation Just Cause, which was a reference to the United States' goal of restoring democracy and human rights in Panama. The operation was led by General Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., who was the commander of the United States Central Command. The operation involved a series of military objectives, including the capture of Manuel Noriega and the destruction of the Panamanian Defense Forces. The operation was supported by the CIA and the FBI, which provided intelligence and logistical support. The operation was also supported by the United States Congress, which had authorized the use of military force in Panama.

Aftermath

The invasion ended on January 31, 1990, with the capture of Manuel Noriega and the destruction of the Panamanian Defense Forces. The invasion resulted in the deaths of 23 United States military personnel and 205-314 Panamanian civilians and military personnel. The invasion also resulted in the destruction of significant portions of Panama City and the Panama Canal. The invasion was followed by the establishment of a new government in Panama, which was led by President Guillermo Endara and included Vice President Guillermo Ford. The invasion was also followed by the trial and conviction of Manuel Noriega, who was sentenced to 40 years in prison for narcotics trafficking and money laundering.

International Reaction

The invasion was widely condemned by the international community, including the United Nations, the Organization of American States, and the European Community. The invasion was criticized by Fidel Castro, the President of Cuba, and by Daniel Ortega, the President of Nicaragua. The invasion was also criticized by Mikhail Gorbachev, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, and by Helmut Kohl, the Chancellor of Germany. However, the invasion was supported by the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, which argued that it was necessary to protect the human rights and national security of the Panamanian people. The invasion was also supported by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, which had documented significant human rights abuses in Panama prior to the invasion. Category:Invasions by the United States