Births on February 11

Manuel Noriega, Panamanian general and politician, Military Leader of Panama (d. 2017)

Manuel Antonio Noriega Moreno: The Enigmatic Ruler of Panama

Manuel Antonio Noriega Moreno, born on February 11, 1934, and passing away on May 29, 2017, was a complex and controversial figure who served as a Panamanian dictator, astute politician, and career military officer. From 1983 until 1989, he was the undisputed de facto ruler of Panama, a position he attained and maintained through a combination of strategic alliances and ruthless authoritarianism. Known for his deep involvement in illicit drug trafficking operations, which allowed him to amass a significant personal fortune, Noriega also maintained a long-standing, intricate relationship with United States intelligence agencies. This paradoxical alliance eventually fractured, culminating in the U.S. invasion of Panama in 1989, which ultimately removed him from power and reshaped the geopolitical landscape of Central America.

Early Life, Military Training, and Ascent to Power

Born into a humble mestizo family in Panama City, Noriega's early life offered few indicators of the powerful figure he would become. His trajectory began when he embarked on a military career, receiving specialized training at the prestigious Chorrillos Military School in Lima, Peru. Furthering his military education, he also attended the notorious School of the Americas, then located in the Panama Canal Zone, an institution that gained notoriety for training numerous Latin American military figures, some of whom were later implicated in human rights abuses. These formative experiences equipped him with the skills and connections necessary to navigate the turbulent political waters of Panama.

Noriega quickly rose through the ranks of the Panamanian army, largely due to his close alliance with General Omar Torrijos Herrera, a charismatic and influential leader who was then Panama's de facto strongman. In 1968, Torrijos orchestrated a coup that overthrew President Arnulfo Arias, a move that solidified Torrijos's grip on power and paved the way for Noriega's rise. Under Torrijos's government, Noriega was appointed chief of military intelligence, a crucial role that allowed him to gather sensitive information, cultivate a vast network of contacts, and effectively establish his own power base within the military apparatus.

Following Torrijos's untimely death in a mysterious plane crash in 1981—an event that remains the subject of various theories, though officially ruled an accident—a power vacuum emerged. Noriega expertly exploited this period of instability, systematically consolidating his influence and control over the Panama Defense Forces (PDF). By 1983, he had effectively become Panama's de facto ruler, wielding absolute authority despite not holding the official title of president. His control was absolute, extending over all branches of government and civil society.

The Complex Web of U.S. Intelligence Ties and Illicit Activities

Noriega's relationship with the United States was exceptionally complex, characterized by a long period of cooperation that began as early as the 1950s. Throughout the Cold War, he became one of the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) most valuable intelligence assets in Latin America, providing crucial information on Cuba, leftist movements, and various regional dynamics. This clandestine relationship underscored the pragmatic, often morally ambiguous, nature of U.S. foreign policy during that era, prioritizing perceived strategic interests over democratic principles or human rights.

Beyond intelligence gathering, Noriega also served as a critical conduit for illicit weapons, military equipment, and cash destined for U.S.-backed forces across Latin America. A notable, though often debated, aspect of his activities was his alleged involvement in the Iran-Contra Affair, where he reportedly facilitated the flow of arms and funds to the Nicaraguan Contras, a U.S.-supported rebel group, in exchange for various concessions, including the allowance of drug transit through Panama. These activities highlighted Noriega's role as a key, albeit unsavory, player in regional conflicts, capable of leveraging his position for both personal gain and geopolitical influence.

Deterioration of U.S. Relations and International Indictments

The intricate and often contradictory relationship between Noriega and the U.S. began to unravel in the late 1980s. As the Cold War drew to a close and Noriega's independent dealings with other intelligence agencies, including those of Cuba and Libya, came to light, his reliability as a U.S. asset diminished. Simultaneously, investigations into his extensive involvement in international drug trafficking escalated, driven by increasing pressure from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Congress. His flagrant corruption and repressive tactics became too blatant and politically inconvenient for the U.S. to ignore.

A turning point occurred in February 1988 when federal grand juries in Miami and Tampa, Florida, issued indictments against Noriega. He was charged with a wide array of serious crimes, including racketeering, drug smuggling, and money laundering. These indictments effectively transformed him from a U.S. asset into an international pariah, signaling a definitive end to his covert cooperation with Washington.

Operation Just Cause: The U.S. Invasion and Noriega's Capture

Tensions between the U.S. and Noriega escalated dramatically following these indictments. Despite attempts at negotiation aimed at securing his resignation, Noriega remained defiant. His annulment of the 1989 Panamanian general election, where the opposition candidate Guillermo Endara had secured a clear victory, was a direct challenge to democratic principles and a final provocation. This act, coupled with increasing human rights abuses and the perception of threats to U.S. personnel and interests in the Canal Zone, prompted the U.S. to take decisive military action.

On December 20, 1989, the United States launched "Operation Just Cause," a full-scale military invasion of Panama involving over 27,000 U.S. troops. The stated objectives included protecting American citizens, defending democracy, combating drug trafficking, and bringing Noriega to justice. Following intense combat and a period of refuge in the Vatican embassy in Panama City—where U.S. forces famously employed psychological warfare by blasting loud rock music—Noriega surrendered on January 3, 1990. He was subsequently flown to the U.S. to face charges.

Trials, Imprisonment, and Final Years

Upon his arrival in the U.S., Noriega was tried on the Miami indictment. In a landmark case, he was convicted on most of the charges related to drug trafficking and racketeering. Initially sentenced to 40 years in federal prison, his sentence was later reduced for good behavior, and he ultimately served 17 years.

His legal battles, however, were far from over. In 2010, after completing his U.S. sentence, Noriega was extradited to France. There, he was convicted and sentenced to seven years of imprisonment for money laundering, specifically for depositing millions of dollars from drug proceeds into French bank accounts. A year later, in 2011, France extradited him to Panama, his home country, where he faced incarceration for grave crimes committed during his authoritarian rule. These included human rights abuses, the disappearance and murder of political opponents like Hugo Spadafora, and the suppression of a coup attempt. He had been tried and convicted in absentia for these crimes in the 1990s, making his return to Panama a final reckoning.

In March 2017, Noriega was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He underwent surgery for the condition but suffered severe complications during the procedure. Manuel Antonio Noriega Moreno passed away two months later, on May 29, 2017, at the age of 83, bringing an end to a life marked by power, corruption, and international controversy.

Noriega's Authoritarian Legacy and Global Comparisons

Manuel Noriega's rule in Panama is unequivocally characterized as a brutal dictatorship. His regime was defined by severe repression of the media, including censorship and the closure of critical news outlets, and a significant expansion of the military, transforming the National Guard into the Panama Defense Forces, essentially his personal army. Political opponents faced relentless persecution, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings. He maintained control over elections, manipulating outcomes to ensure his continued grip on power.

Noriega often relied on a brand of military nationalism to maintain support, appealing to Panamanian pride and, at times, anti-U.S. sentiment, despite his own extensive ties to Washington. Uniquely, he did not espouse a specific social or economic ideology, instead prioritizing personal power and wealth accumulation. His complex and often contradictory relationship with the United States earned him the paradoxical descriptions of both an indispensable ally and a formidable nemesis. Historians and political analysts frequently place him among the most infamous dictators of his era, drawing comparisons to other authoritarian rulers such as Libya's Muammar Gaddafi and Chile's Augusto Pinochet, figures whose legacies are similarly stained by repression and human rights abuses.

Frequently Asked Questions About Manuel Noriega

When was Manuel Noriega the de facto ruler of Panama?

Manuel Noriega served as the de facto ruler of Panama from 1983 until the U.S. invasion in December 1989.

What was the "School of the Americas" and why is it significant in Noriega's biography?

The School of the Americas (now WHINSEC) was a U.S. Army training institution for Latin American military personnel. Noriega's attendance there is significant as the institution gained notoriety for training individuals later implicated in human rights abuses, shaping his military background.

What was Operation Just Cause?

Operation Just Cause was the code name for the United States' military invasion of Panama launched on December 20, 1989, with objectives including protecting U.S. citizens, defending democracy, combating drug trafficking, and bringing Noriega to justice.

Why did the U.S. relationship with Noriega deteriorate?

The U.S. relationship with Noriega deteriorated in the late 1980s due to his increasing independent dealings with other hostile nations, the undeniable escalation of his drug trafficking activities, and his severe human rights abuses, which made him a political liability.

Where was Manuel Noriega imprisoned?

Manuel Noriega was imprisoned in the United States after his capture, then extradited to France for money laundering charges, and finally returned to Panama to serve sentences for crimes committed during his rule.