Manuel Noriega was born in 1934 in Panama City. He attended a military academy, and in 1968 he became a lieutenant in the Panamanian National Guard. By 1971, Noriega had climbed the ranks of the Panamanian Military and had gained the trust of the United States. The United States used Noriega, who was on the payroll of the Central Intelligence Agency, during the Cold War as an informant in communication with Cuba as well as other Central American countries. However, in doing so, the United States turned a blind eye towards Manuel Noriega's harsh rule and criminal activity in Panama. In 1984, Noriega rigged the presidential election and became the military dictator of Panama. He was involved in arms and drug smuggling, as well as many accounts of human rights violations.
After the Cold War ended, the United States turned its attention to drug smuggling. Because General Noriega was a drug lord and was unpopular among the Panamanian people, the United States attempted to facilitate his peaceful removal from power through the democratic process. The United States sent observers to make sure that the election in 1989 was not rigged. However, when there was proof that Noriega had indeed rigged the election again, the United States decided to take a more aggressive approach. It issued diplomatic sanctions and dispatched nearly 2,000 troops into Panama. Soon afterword, the Panamanian National Assembly under Noriega's control declared Manuel Noriega Chief of Government and Maximum Leader of National Liberation. It also declared war on the United States.
After Panamanian Defense Forces killed a U.S. Marine lieutenant, the United States began preparation of an assault to remove General Noriega from office. The United States launched Operation Just Cause on December 20, 1989, however it only pushed him into hiding in the Vatican's diplomatic mission in Panama City. After 10 days of the United States' psychological warfare team blasting his building with rock and roll music, Noriega finally surrendered. Manuel Noriega was brought to the United States to face charges of eight accounts of drug smuggling and racketeering. On July 10, 1992, he was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
After the Cold War ended, the United States turned its attention to drug smuggling. Because General Noriega was a drug lord and was unpopular among the Panamanian people, the United States attempted to facilitate his peaceful removal from power through the democratic process. The United States sent observers to make sure that the election in 1989 was not rigged. However, when there was proof that Noriega had indeed rigged the election again, the United States decided to take a more aggressive approach. It issued diplomatic sanctions and dispatched nearly 2,000 troops into Panama. Soon afterword, the Panamanian National Assembly under Noriega's control declared Manuel Noriega Chief of Government and Maximum Leader of National Liberation. It also declared war on the United States.
After Panamanian Defense Forces killed a U.S. Marine lieutenant, the United States began preparation of an assault to remove General Noriega from office. The United States launched Operation Just Cause on December 20, 1989, however it only pushed him into hiding in the Vatican's diplomatic mission in Panama City. After 10 days of the United States' psychological warfare team blasting his building with rock and roll music, Noriega finally surrendered. Manuel Noriega was brought to the United States to face charges of eight accounts of drug smuggling and racketeering. On July 10, 1992, he was sentenced to 40 years in prison.