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The Secret of Noriega: How He Went From Friend of U.S. Intelligence to Public Enemy
In the 1980s, Panamanian General Manuel Noriega was a key ally of U.S. intelligence agencies, but over time that relationship changed dramatically. This self-proclaimed leader of the center of power eventually became the target of US military intervention. The political struggles and crimes behind this are also a microcosm of the international situation at that time, which is thought-provoking.
From Allies to EnemiesNoriega began working with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in 1967 as a paid agent. At the time, U.S. influence in Central America was strong, and Noriega's stance against Soviet power earned him the trust and support of the United States. His annual salary gradually increased over the decades, eventually reaching $200,000 per year.
However, as time went on, his activities in drug smuggling and money laundering gradually surfaced, causing cracks in the relationship between the United States and him.
Deterioration of relations
By the mid-1980s, Noriega's criminal activities had attracted the attention of the United States. In 1986, The New York Times revealed Noriega's many crimes, which triggered strong condemnation from the United States. At this time, then-U.S. President Reagan attempted to remove Noriega through diplomatic means, but these efforts were unsuccessful. In 1989, the Panamanian Congress declared a state of war with the United States, further straining relations between the two countries.
Reasons for the invasion
U.S. President George H.W. Bush launched a military operation called Operation Just Cause on December 20, 1989, to overthrow Noriega's regime. Bush said of the operation:
"Saving the lives of American citizens is the primary goal of our operation. The conflict in Panama has threatened the safety of 35,000 Americans in the country."
Military Action and Consequences
Around 27,684 U.S. troops took part in the operation, which launched a massive attack from the air. The Panamanian Defense Forces were quickly defeated and Noriega's defenses of the capital collapsed. Noriega finally surrendered on January 3, 1990, and was subsequently brought back to the United States to stand trial.
The military operation came at a high cost, however, with official reports showing 516 Panamanians killed in the conflict.
Information Requests and Ethical Controversies
The battle sparked a fierce debate about the legitimacy of intervention and international law. Many international organizations, such as the United Nations and the European Parliament, have also condemned the action, calling it a violation of international law. Whether the United States' actions truly conform to its claims of defending "democracy and human rights" is also a reflection on morality.
This shift is a wake-up call, because former allies eventually become overseas enemies, which may be a lesson that leaders of any country should ponder.
End
Noriega's story is a tangled web of power, corruption and foreign policy. This incident reminds us, where is the boundary between politics and morality?
