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Noriega indicted on drug-related charges and US forces begin to plan operations in Panama.
During the early years of 1988, after the unexplained death of Omar Torrijos, Noriega was suspected of gun trafficking (smuggling), money laundering, torture, murder, and selling U.S. information and technology to Cuba and Eastern European governments. Noriega denied claims and in June 1987, Colonel Roberto Diaz Herrera told media the election of 1984 was rigged along with the death of Hugo Spadafora, the man who accused Noriega of drug trafficking was ordered. -
Civilian Elections
Civilian elections are held; opposition alliance tally shows their candidate, Guillermo Endara, beating Noriega's candidate, Carlos Duque, by a 3 to 1 margin. The election is declared invalid two days later by Noriega. -
Declare War with United States
Omar Torrijos, commander of Panama died unexpectedly in 1981 giving Manuel Noriega the position of leadership.During this time, Noriega was accused of human, drug, and gun trafficking forcing Panamanians to connect the death of Torrijos to Noriega and held riots to remove Noriega. In order to remain in control, Noriega suspended constitutional rights, closed newspapers and radio stations, and drove his political enemies into exile. He declared war with the United States -
U.S. forces alerted, marshaled, and launched.
On December 19, 1989 Geroge Bush, the president at the time called for "Operation Just Cause" in order to improve the nation's image as well as prevent Noriega from further action. Bush launched a full-scale attack using the excuse of Panama firing at US soldiers passing through headquarters and Noreiga's statement of declaration of war. -
Noriega surrenders to US forces
Noriega finally surrendered to the U.S. military on 3 January 1990. He was immediately put on an MC-130E Combat Talon I aircraft and flown to the United States. -
Operation "JUST CAUSE" ends
On Janruary 12, 1990, "Operation Just Cause" ends and troops are withdrawn. The operation was extremely short and had a nice, tidy ending with the surrender of Manuel Noriega three weeks after the US dropping in. There were 23 killed and 324 wounded.
