Maduro's Seizure Mirrors Noriega's Arrest 35 Years Ago

On Saturday, President Trump shared news of the capture of a notable Venezuelan figure and his spouse. This event marks the 35th anniversary of another historical arrest by the U.S. – that of Panama's military leader, Manuel Noriega.

Manuel Noriega: From Ally to Adversary

Rising from Panama City's impoverished areas, Manuel Noriega climbed the ranks under General Omar Torrijos, who gained power after the 1968 coup. After Torrijos's death in 1983, Noriega took over the reins of the Panamanian government.

Initially supported by the U.S., Noriega was rewarded significantly to curb drug activities. His role as a CIA asset involved liaising with figures like Fidel Castro to further American interests across Latin America.

Downfall and Arrest

However, tensions rose as Noriega's aspirations for greater autonomy and allegations of drug-related misconduct alienated him from the U.S. In response, President George H.W. Bush initiated a military strike in late 1989, deploying a sizable force to dismantle Noriega's rule, with significant casualties.

Cornered, Noriega sought refuge in the Vatican embassy before relinquishing himself on January 3, 1990. Subsequently extradited to the U.S., he faced a trial for drug charges. This marked the dissolution of Panama's military-led governance.

Legal Repercussions and Legacy

Convicted and imprisoned in the U.S. for drug offenses, Noriega was transferred back in 2010 for further convictions related to money laundering, homicide, and financial crimes, linked to his military regime's lengthy tenure.

In a rare public address in 2015, Noriega issued apologies from his Panamanian prison to those harmed during his rule, describing himself as a remnant of a bygone military era.

Noriega's life concluded in 2017 following complications from brain surgery at the age of 83. At the time, then-President of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela, remarked that his passing symbolically closed a major chapter in the nation's history.