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General Torrijos the preceding dictator before Noriega ousts President Arias in a coup and establishes a dictatorship creating the foundation for what was to come
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Military Leader of Panama Torrijos dies in a plane crash and is succeeded by Noriega while a former Israeli Mossad agent Michael Harari renames, retrains, and reorganizes the national guard to become the Panamanian Defense Forces.
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General Noriega assumes command of the PDF which was basically the puppet master of the government
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A pair of indictments are unsealed in Florida accusing Noriega of bribery and drug trafficking. Noriega used Columbia as a forefront to ship drugs to the US from Panama while saving a mere $200-300 million for himself
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President Delvalle had announced Noriega's dismissal from Commander and the next day the nation's National Assembly voted to depose Delvalle.
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Delvalle is ousted from the Presidency and calls to repudiate Noriega are called for by the National Assembly
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President Reagan issues executive order 12365 blocking property and interests of property of the government of Panama
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General Noriega makes an appearance at a rally in Panama and states while waving a machete in the air that he will not be ousted from power by the US
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Elections are held in Panama for a new president with candidate Endara winning in a 3 to 1 as opposition to Noriega which he will go on to dismiss the results of the election and violently repress those who resisted/protested
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President George H.W. Bush recalls the US ambassador in Panama and plans to send 1,700 soldiers and 165 marines in phases to reinforce troops already within Panama
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PDF soldiers loyal to Noriega crushed a coup led by mid-level PDF officers who were later executed for their betrayal
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The primary reason was that the US wanted to depose the de facto leader of Panama since he was indicted on racketeering, drugs, and money laundering related crimes, in addition within Panama, US citizens were being threatened most notably December 16th when an off-duty marine was shot to death at a PDF roadblock. -
The US launches Operation Just Cause to oust Noriega from power and would soon be replaced by the rightfully elected President Endara which would end with 23 US troops dead and 320 wounded
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The US execution of Operation Just Cause and liberation of Panama from the dictatorship of PDF General Manuel Noriega which lasted a little under 1 month. General Noriega was the de facto leader of Panama after he was promoted to Commander of the National Guard then promoted himself to General and then afterward consolidated power and overthrew the current President. (of the time)
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General Noriega evades capture by US troops and takes refuge within the Vatican Embassy whoms't they accept as a refuge. Though it would eventually take weeks of negotiation as well as rock music blasted 24/7 on loud speakers outside the embassy to force Noriega into surrendering
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Noriega gives in and surrenders to the US approximately 10 days after taking refuge within the Embassy
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Back on the 4th of January, that year Noriega was arraigned for drug trafficking charges and on the 17th he would be tried and convicted of racketeering as well as conspiracy to distribute cocaine and would be sentenced to 40 years in prison later reduced to 30. President Endara would be the President to succeed Noriega and would go on to dismantle the PDF in place for a national police force. On May 29th, 2017 Noriega would die at the age of 83