Nicolás Maduro’s capture compared to 1989 Manuel Noriega operation
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The US capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife on Saturday revives memories of the dramatic 1989 overthrow of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega; These events coincidentally coincide with the day Maduro was captured on January 3, 36 years ago.
US forces under former President George H. W. Bush launched a surprise invasion of Panama in the early hours of December 20, 1989, accusing Noriega of conspiring with drug traffickers to funnel cocaine into America.
He also faced allegations that he manipulated the country’s 1989 presidential election.
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“The goal was to restore the democratically elected government of Guillermo Endara and arrest Noriega on drug trafficking charges,” the U.S. Army’s website states. The statement is included. “At the time, Operation Just Cause was the largest and most complex combat operation since the Vietnam War.”
Similar to Saturday’s operation involving Maduro, the invasion of Panama took place without the express authorization of Congress. to Axios.
Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega at a ceremony commemorating the death of national hero Omar Torrijos in Panama City. (Bill Gentile/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)
But Noriega’s capture came to light within weeks as he evaded arrest by taking refuge in the Vatican embassy in Panama City.
US troops used psychological warfare to draw Noriega out of hiding.
In a tactic known as Operation Nifty Pack, military vehicles with loudspeakers blasted non-stop rock music with a playlist that included songs by The Clash, Van Halen and U2. BBC News reported.
According to Axios, Noriega surrendered to US forces on January 3, 1990, 36 years before the US captured Maduro, and was flown to America to be tried.
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Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega is seen in this Jan. 4, 1990 file photo. (Reuters/HO JDP)
The operation resulted in the death of 23 US soldiers and injured 320 others. The Pentagon estimates that about 200 Panamanian civilians and 314 Panamanian military personnel were killed, according to the Associated Press.
In 1992, Noriega was convicted in Miami federal court on drug trafficking charges and sentenced to 40 years in prison.
He was given prisoner of war status, housed in a separate bungalow away from other prisoners and allowed to wear his Panamanian military uniform and insignia in court, the AP reported.
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Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro addresses his supporters at a rally marking the anniversary of the 19th-century Battle of Santa Ines in Caracas, Venezuela, on December 10. (Pedro Rances Mattey/Anadolu via Getty Images)
After serving 17 years in a US prison, he was extradited to France and later to Panama. He passed away in 2017.
President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that Maduro and his wife were captured and taken out of the country as part of Operation Absolute Resolve.
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In recent months, the US military has carried out a series of attacks on suspected drug vessels allegedly favored by the Venezuelan regime in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific.
Trump said the U.S. government will “manage” Venezuela until a permanent leader is found, adding that “until we can have a safe, appropriate, and sensible transition.”
