Operation Just Cause (Invasion of Panama)
Date: December 20, 1989–January 3, 1990 Location: Panama Result: decisive U.S. Victory, Panamanian regime toppled
Combatants
United States	Panama
Commanders
General Carl W. Stiner	Manuel Noriega
Strength
27,684+	3,000+
Casualties
23 Dead, 324 Wounded	450 Military, 200-4,000 Civilian

U.S. Army 7th Infantry Division (light) soldiers prepare to take La Comandancia in the El Chorrillo neighborhood of Panama City, December 1989.

The United States invasion of Panama, codenamed Operation Just Cause, was the invasion of Panama by armed forces of the United States that deposed general and de facto military leader Manuel Noriega in December 1989, during the administration of U.S. President George H. W. Bush. Image File history File links US_Forces_during_Operation_Just_Cause. ... December 20 is the 354th day of the year (355th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... January 3 is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... Carl W. Stiner born (September 7, 1936) is a retired United States Army four-star general. ... Manuel Antonio Noriega Moreno (born February 11, 1938) was a Panamanian general and the de facto military leader of Panama from 1983 to 1989. ... U.S. Army Rangers prepare to take ?La Comandancia? in Panama during Operation Just Cause, December 1989. ... U.S. Army Rangers prepare to take ?La Comandancia? in Panama during Operation Just Cause, December 1989. ... The 1944 Invasion of Normandy An invasion is a military action consisting of armed forces of one geo-political entity entering territory controlled by another such entity, often resulting in the invading power occupying the area, whether briefly or for a long period, and sometimes permanently. ... Manuel Antonio Noriega Moreno (born February 11, 1938) was a Panamanian general and the de facto military leader of Panama from 1983 to 1989. ... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... George Herbert Walker Bush (born June 12, 1924) was the 41st President of the United States of America (1989–1993). ...

Background

This action was preceded by more than a year of diplomatic tension between the United States and Panama, the highlights of which were allegations by the United States of Noriega's complicity with money launderers and drug traffickers and a nullified national election in 1989. Several months of U.S. troop buildup followed these events in military bases within the former Panama Canal Zone. The Panama Canal Zone (Spanish: ), was a 553 square mile (1,432 km²) territory inside of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles (8. ...

The official American justification for the invasion was put forward in a short statement issued by President George H. W. Bush on the morning of December 20, a few hours after the start of the operation. Bush listed four reasons for the invasion ^[1]: December 20 is the 354th day of the year (355th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

• Safeguarding the lives of U.S. citizens in Panama. In his statement, Bush claimed that Noriega had declared that a state of war existed between the United States and Panama and that he also threatened the lives of the approximately 35,000 Americans living there. There had been numerous clashes between U.S. and Panamanian forces; one American had been killed a few days earlier and several incidents of harassment of Americans had taken place.

• Defending democracy and human rights in Panama. Earlier that year Noriega had nullified presidential elections that had been won by candidates from opposition parties ^[2].

• Combating drug trafficking. Panama had become a center for drug money laundering and a transit point for drug trafficking to the United States and Europe. Noriega had been singled out for direct involvement in these drug trafficking operations.

• Protecting the integrity of the Torrijos-Carter Treaties. Members of Congress and others in the U.S. political establishment claimed that Noriega threatened the neutrality of the Panama Canal and that the United States had the right under the treaties to intervene militarily to protect the canal.

In regard to one of the reasons set forth by the United States to justify the invasion, namely the declaration of a state of war between the United States and Panama, Noriega insists that his statement referred to a state of war directed by the U.S. against Panama, in the form of what he claimed were harsh economic sanctions and constant, provocative military maneuvers that were prohibited by the Torrijos-Carter Treaties. Relations between American and Panamanian civilians had traditionally been fairly cordial, and this state of affairs had not changed significantly prior to the invasion, a fact which had been widely reported in the international press. Human rights are rights which some hold to be inalienable and belonging to all humans. ... This article is about the political process. ... Retail selling Street selling is the bottom of the chain and can be accomplished through purchasing from prostitutes, through cloaked retail stores or refuse houses for users in the act located in red-light districts which often also deal in paraphernalia, dealers marketing merriment at night clubs and other events... Money laundering is the practice of engaging in financial transactions in order to conceal the identity, source and destination of the money in question. ... Map of Panama, with Panama canal The Torrijos-Carter Treaties (sometimes referred to in the singular as the Torrijos-Carter Treaty), are a pair of treaties signed by the United States and Panama in Washington, D. C. on September 7, 1977, abrogating the Hay-Bunau Varilla Treaty signed in 1903. ... A canal tug, making its way down to the Caribbean end of the canal, waits to be joined by a ship in the uppermost chamber of the Gatun Locks. ...

In the December 16 incident that led to the killing of an American soldier, four U.S. soldiers were stopped at a roadblock outside PDF headquarters in the El Chorrillo neighborhood of Panama City. The United States Department of Defense claimed that the servicemen were unarmed and in a private vehicle and that they attempted to flee the scene only after their vehicle was surrounded by a crowd of civilians and PDF troops. The PDF claimed the Americans were armed and on a reconnaissance mission ^[3]. It was also reported by the Los Angeles Times ^[4] that "according to American military and civilian sources" the soldier killed was a member of the "Hard Chargers", a group whose goal was to agitate members of the PDF. It was also reported that the group's "tactics were well known by ranking U.S. officers" who were frustrated by "Panamanian provocations committed under dictator Manuel A. Noriega", although the group was not officially sanctioned by the military. The Pentagon later denied that such a group ever existed (see also ^[5]). December 16 is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... The United States Department of Defense, abbreviated DoD or DOD and sometimes called the Defense Department, is a civilian Cabinet organization of the United States government. ...

Invasion

The military incursion into Panama began on December 20, 1989, at 0100 local time. The operation involved 27,684 U.S. troops and over 300 aircraft —including the AC-130 aerial gunship, OA-37B observation and attack aircraft, and the F-117A stealth aircraft and AH-64 Apache helicopter which were both used for the first time in combat. These were deployed against the 3,000 members of the Panama Defense Force (PDF)^[6]. December 20 is the 354th day of the year (355th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The AC-130 Gunship is an armed variant of the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. ... The Lockheed F-117A Nighthawk is the worlds first operational aircraft completely designed around stealth technology. ... The AH-64 Apache is the United States Armys principal attack helicopter, the successor to the AH-1 Cobra. ... The Panamanian Government has converted the former Panama Defense Forces (PDF) into a civilian public force, subordinate to civilian officials and composed of four independent units: the Panamanian National Police, the National Maritime Service (Coast Guard), the National Air Service, and the Institutional Protective Service (VIP Security). ...

The operation began with an assault of strategic installations such as the civilian Punta Paitilla Airport in Panama City, a PDF garrison and airfield at Rio Hato, where Noriega also maintained a residence, and other military command centers throughout the country. The attack on the central headquarters of the PDF (referred to as La Comandancia) touched off several fires, one of which destroyed most of the adjoining and heavily populated El Chorrillo neighborhood in downtown Panama City^[7]. During the firefight at the Comandancia, the PDF downed one AH-6 Little Bird helicopter ^[8]. Operation NIFTY PACKAGE was a plan, conducted in the opening hours of the Operation Just Cause, to apprehend or prevent the escape of the Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega. ... This article is about the capital of Panama. ... The Hughes H-6 is a family of light utility civilian and assault helicopters of the United States Army. ...

The Panamanian Defense Force was overwhelmed by the larger U.S. forces.

A few hours after the invasion began, Guillermo Endara was sworn in at a United States military base in the former Canal Zone. It is generally agreed that Endara would have been the victor in the presidential election which had been scheduled earlier that year ^[9]. Guillermo David Endara Galimany (born 12 May 1936 in Panama City) is a Panamanian politician. ...

Elements of the 75th Ranger Regiment secure La Comandancia in Panama during Operation Just Cause, December 1989.

Military operations continued for several days, mainly against paramilitary units of Noriega loyalists called "Batallones de la Dignidad". With the collapse of the Panamanian Defense Force, looting and other forms of vandalism quickly ensued in most urban areas, but despite the widespread lawlessness, the main focus of the American forces continued to be Noriega's capture and extradition. Noriega remained at large for several days, but realizing he had few options in the face of a massive manhunt, with a one million dollar reward for his capture, he obtained refuge in the Vatican diplomatic mission in Panama City. The American military's psychological pressure on him and diplomatic pressure on the Vatican mission, however, was relentless, including the playing of loud rock-and-roll music day and night in a densely populated area. As a result, Noriega finally surrendered to the U.S. military on January 3, 1990. He was immediately put on a military transport plane and extradited to the United States. U.S. Army Rangers secure ?La Comandancia? in Panama during Operation Just Cause, December 1989. ... U.S. Army Rangers secure ?La Comandancia? in Panama during Operation Just Cause, December 1989. ... January 3 is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ...

By mid-January, American combat forces had begun to withdraw, though U.S. forces remained, ostensibly to support the reconstruction of the newly installed Panamanian government (under the moniker Operation Promote Liberty).

Casualties

The Americans lost 22 soldiers and 1 marine killed in action (KIA) and 324 wounded (WIA). The U.S. Southern Command, at that time based on Quarry Heights in Panama, estimated at fifty the number of Panamanian military casualties, lower than its original estimate of 314. There has been considerable controversy over the number of Panamanian civilian casualties resulting from the invasion. At the low end, the Southern Command estimated that number at two hundred. A U.S.-based independent Commission of Inquiry, headed by former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, estimated at more than three thousand the number of Panamanian civilian casualties. There is no known accounting as to how many civilian deaths were directly attributable to military actions on either side. According to GlobalSecurity.org, "More civilians almost certainly would have been killed or wounded had it not been for the discipline of the American forces and their stringent rules of engagement".^[10] Militaries use the term killed in action (KIA) as a casualty classification. ... WIA is a three letter abbreviation meaning Wounded in action. ... The United States Southern Command (also called SOUTHCOM) is responsible for all United States military activities in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean basin. ... William Ramsey Clark (born December 18, 1927) lawyer and political activist . ... GlobalSecurity. ...

Physicians for Human Rights ^[11] in a report issued one year after the invasion ^[12], estimated that "at least 300 Panamanian civilians died due to the invasion". The report also concluded that "neither Panamanian nor U.S. governments provided a careful accounting of non-lethal injuries" and that "relief efforts were inadequate to meet the basic needs of thousands of civilians made homeless by the invasion". The report estimated the number of displaced civilians to be over 15,000, whereas the U. S. military provided support for only 3,000 of these. Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is an organization that promotes health by protecting human rights. ...

According to official Pentagon figures 516 Panamanians were killed during the invasion; an internal Army memo estimated the number at 1,000 ^[13] and an Independent Commission of Inquiry on the U.S. Invasion of Panama estimated Panamanian deaths at 1000-4000 ^[14]. According to the documentary "The Panama Deception", some researchers put the death toll between 3,000 and 4,000 civilians ^[15]. A pre-9/11 view of The Pentagon, looking east with the Potomac River and Washington Monument in the distance. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... 1992 Academy Award Winner for Best Documentary Feature. ...

Origin of the name "Operation Just Cause"

Operation plans directed against Panama evolved from plans designed to defend the Canal. They became more aggressive as the situation between the two nations deteriorated. The Prayer Book series of plans included rehearsals for a possible clash (Operation Purple Storm) and missions to secure American sites (Operation Bushmaster). Eventually these plans became Operation Blue Spoon, which was renamed by President Bush as Just Cause. During the period of tension that culminated in the US Invasion of Panama Operation Bushmaster was the use of infantry units to supplement Military Police patrols of areas surrounding the Panama Canal and other American installations in Panama. ...

The name "Just Cause" has been used primarily by the United States military for planning and historical purposes and by other U.S. entities such as the State Department. Panamanians usually refer to it simply as "The Invasion" (La Invasión). It has been reported that the invasion was derisively referred to as "Operation Just Because" by skeptics inside The Pentagon ^[16]. The United States Department of State, often referred to as the State Department, is the Cabinet-level foreign affairs agency of the United States government, equivalent to foreign ministries in other countries. ... A pre-9/11 view of The Pentagon, looking east with the Potomac River and Washington Monument in the distance. ...

In recent years, the naming of U.S. military operations has been the source of some controversy, both internationally and domestically (see Operation Enduring Freedom). At the time operations to depose Noriega were being planned, U.S. military operations were given meaningless names. Just Cause was planned under the name Blue Spoon, and the invasion itself incorporated elements of the Operation Nifty Package and Operation Acid Gambit plans. The name Blue Spoon was later changed to Just Cause for aesthetic and public relations reasons. The post-invasion occupation and reconstruction was titled Operation Promote Liberty.     It has been suggested that United States war in Afghanistan be merged into this article or section. ... Operation NIFTY PACKAGE was a plan, conducted in the opening hours of the Operation Just Cause, to apprehend or prevent the escape of the Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega. ... ACID GAMBIT (U.S. 89) A plan to rescue Central Intelligence Agency operative Kurt Muse from a Panamanian prison in which he was held in 1989. ... Aesthetics (or esthetics) (from the Greek word αισθητική) is a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty. ... Public relations is the art and science of managing communication between an organization and its key publics to build, manage and sustain its positive image. ...

International reaction

On December 22 the Organization of American States passed a resolution deploring the invasion and calling for withdrawal of U.S. troops ^[17]. A similar resolution was passed on December 29 by the United Nations General Assembly. Earlier, a Security Council resolution condemning the invasion had been vetoed by the United States, United Kingdom and France^[18]. The Organization of American States (OAS; OEA in the other three official languages) is an international organization, headquartered in Washington, D.C., USA. Its members are the 35 independent nations of the Americas. ... United Nations - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... United Nations General Assembly The United Nations General Assembly is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations. ... A session of the Security Council in progress The United Nations Security Council is the most powerful organ of the United Nations. ...

After the invasion, governments throughout Latin America — including the government of Chile under outgoing dictator Augusto Pinochet, which was generally supportive of United States policies — issued statements condemning the invasion and calling for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops. One of the reasons Bush gave for the invasion, the reestablishment of democracy in Panama, was widely viewed with suspicion^{[citation needed]}, since the United States was perceived throughout Latin America as serving its own strategic or economic interests, often at the expense of democratic principles. Noriega himself , who had worked for the CIA from the late 1950s to 1986^{[citation needed]}, was considered ^[19] to be a former collaborator of the United States who had cooperated with American efforts to destabilize the Sandinista regime in Nicaragua for which the United States was convicted at the International Court of Justice (cf. Nicaragua vs. United States). It had also been claimed that during that time the United States did little to curtail his involvement in drug trafficking ^[20][21] Latin America consists of the countries of South America and some of North America (including Central America and some the islands of the Caribbean) whose inhabitants mostly speak Romance languages, although Native American languages are also spoken. ... General Augusto José Ramón Pinochet Ugarte[1] (born November 25, 1915) was head of the military dictatorship that ruled Chile from 1973 to 1990. ... The CIA Seal The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is an American intelligence agency, responsible for obtaining and analyzing information about foreign governments, corporations, and individuals, and reporting such information to the various branches of the U.S. Government. ... Sandinista! is also the name of a popular music album by The Clash. ... Peace Palace, seat of the ICJ. The International Court of Justice (known colloquially as the World Court or ICJ; French: Cour internationale de justice) is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. ... The Republic of Nicaragua vs. ...

The various reasons supplied by the United States to justify the invasion were widely regarded ^{[citation needed]} in Latin America as a thin veneer to disguise other intentions, such as the reestablishment of military bases in Panama or even the overturning of the Torrijos-Carter treaties themselves. According to the timetable stipulated by the Torrijos-Carter treaties, the United States was scheduled to hand over the administration of the canal to Panama on January 1, 1990. The Panamanian government under Noriega had said it intended to appoint Tomás Altamirano Duque, widely known as a Noriega loyalist to the top administrator post. This choice was unacceptable to the United States, which had expressed fears he would excessively politicize canal operation. January 1 is the first day of the calendar year in both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. ... This article is about the year. ...

These fears had some credibility, justified by the opposition within the United States Congress to handing the canal over to Panama by the year 2000. In the end, the United States fulfilled its treaty obligations and turned over the canal and military bases to Panama.

Aftermath

After Noriega's ouster, Panama has had three presidential elections, with candidates from opposing parties succeeding each other in the Palacio de las Garzas. Panama also has an unforgiving, if not rowdy press. On 10 February 1990, the Endara government abolished Panama's military and reformed the security apparatus by creating the Panamanian Public Forces. In 1994, a constitutional amendment permanently abolished the military of Panama. While Panama's GDP recovered by 1993, very high unemployment remained a serious problem. This could be attributed to numerous other causes unrelated to its political environment post-Noriega, including the debt crisis of Mexico in 1994–1995, severe recession in Latin America throughout the 1990s, and the Asian financial crisis. February 10 is the 41st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... The Panamanian Government has converted the former Panama Defense Forces (PDF) into a civilian public force, subordinate to civilian officials and composed of four independent units: the Panamanian National Police, the National Maritime Service (Coast Guard), the National Air Service, and the Institutional Protective Service (VIP Security). ... 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ... An 1837 political cartoon about unemployment in the United States. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal. // Events January Bill Clinton January 1 : North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) goes into effect. ... 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... See also 1990s, the band The 1990s decade refers to the years from 1990 to 1999, inclusive, sometimes informally including popular culture from 2000 and 2001. ... The Asian financial crisis was a financial crisis that started in July 1997 in Thailand and affected currencies, stock markets, and other asset prices in several Asian countries, many considered East Asian Tigers. ...

The Panamanian Guillermo Endara government designated the first anniversary of the U.S. invasion a "national day of reflection". On that day hundreds of Panamanians marked the day with a "black march" through the streets of this capital to denounce the U.S. invasion and Endara's economic policies. Protestors echoed claims that 3,000 people were killed as a result of U.S. military action. Guillermo David Endara Galimany (born 12 May 1936 in Panama City) is a Panamanian politician. ...

One notorious after-effect of the invasion was nearly two weeks of widespread looting and lawlessness, a contingency which the United States military apparently had not anticipated. This looting inflicted catastrophic losses on many Panamanian businesses, some of which took several years to recover. On July 19, 1990 a group of 60 companies based in Panama filed a lawsuit against the United States Government in Federal District Court in New York City alleging that the U. S. action against Panama was "done in a tortious, careless and negligent manner with disregard for the property of innocent Panamanian residents". Most of the businesses had insurance, but the insurers either went bankrupt or refused to pay claiming acts of war are not covered ^[22]. Looting (which derives via the Hindi lut from Sanskrit lunt, to rob), sacking, or plundering is the indiscriminate taking of goods by force as part of a military or political victory, or during a catastrophe or riot, such as during war [1], natural disaster [2], rioting [3], or terrorist attack... Flag Seal Nickname: Big Apple Location Location in the state of New York Government Counties (Boroughs) Bronx (The Bronx) New York (Manhattan) Queens (Queens) Kings (Brooklyn) Richmond (Staten Island) Mayor Michael Bloomberg (R) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,214. ... In the common law, a tort is a civil wrong for which the law provides a remedy. ...

About 2,700 families that were displaced by the Chorrillo fire were each given $6,500 by the United States to build a new house or apartment in selected areas in or near the city. However, numerous problems were reported with the new constructions just two years after the invasion^[23].

American units involved in the operation

• 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized)
• 7th Infantry Division (Light)

• 27th Infantry Regiment
• B btry. 2/62 ADA
• 9th Infantry Regiment

• 75th Ranger Regiment
• 82nd Airborne Division
  • 1st Battalion 504th Infantry (Airborne)
• Marine Corps
  • Marine Security Forces Battalion Panama
  • 3rd Battalion 6th Marines
  • FAST Platoon
  • Delta Company, 2nd Light Armored Infantry Battlion
  • Det (G), 2nd BSSG, 2nd FSSG
• Military Police
  • 511th MP Company (Fort Drum, New York)
• 1st Special Operations Command
  • 7th SFG(A)
  • Task Force 160 (Night Stalkers)
  • Seal Team 4
  • Seal Team 6
  • 1st SFOD-D
• XVIII Airborne Corps

• U.S. Southern Command
• U.S. Army South (USARSO)
• 193rd Infantry Brigade
• 154th Signal Battalion
• MEDDAC
• 324th Support Group
• Armed Forces Radio and Television Services (AFRTS)
• 40th Tactical Airlift Squadron (317th Tactical Airlift Wing)
• 50th Tactical Airlift Squadron (314th Tactical Airlift Wing)
• 437th Military Airlift Wing
• 512th Military Airlift Wing

Shoulder sleeve patch of the United States Army 5th Infantry Division, the Red Devils. ... Shoulder sleeve patch of the United States Army 7th Infantry Division (Light). ... The United States army dispatched the 9th Infantry Regiment (the archaic designation of a Battalion size element) to assist the Chinese government during the Boxer Rebellion and China Relief expedition. ... Official force name 75th Ranger Regiment Rangers Other names Airborne Rangers Army Rangers Task Force Ranger U.S. Army Rangers Branch U.S. Army Chain of Command USASOC Description Special Operations Force, rapidly deployable light infantry force. ... The 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army was Constituted in the National Army as the 82nd Division on August 5, 1917, and was Organized on August 25, 1917, at Camp Gordon, Georgia. ... United States Marine Corps seal The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the U.S. military, responsible for providing power projection from the sea,[1] utilizing the mobility of the U.S. Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces to crises around the globe. ... 3rd Battalion 6th Marines is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. ... US Marine Corps Fleet Antiterrorism Security Teams (also known as FAST Companies) are primarily designed to conduct defensive combat operations, military security operations, and rear area security operations. ... 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion is a battalion of the United States Marine Corps. ... The 2nd Marine Logistics Group (2nd MLG) is a logistics unit of the United States Marine Corps and is headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. ... Branch insignia of the Military Police Corps The Military Police Corps is the law enforcement of the United States Armed Forces. ... (Redirected from 160th SOAR) Unit name 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) Abbreviated: 160th SOAR (A) Nickname Night Stalkers Branch U.S. Army Mission Provide aviation support to U.S. Special Operations Forces Headquarters Fort Campbell, Kentucky USA Motto Night Stalkers Dont Quit (NSDQ) Death Waits in the Dark... SEAL Team SIX patch The United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NAVSPECWARDEVGRU, also known as NSWDG or DEVGRU) is the United States Navys premier Counter-Terrorism unit. ... The 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (Airborne) (1st SFOD-D (A)), commonly known as Delta within the U.S. Army or as Delta Force by the general public (officially recognized by the Pentagon as the Combat Applications Group), is a Special Operations Force (SOF) and an element of the... Patch of the XVIII Airborne Corps. ... The United States Southern Command (also called SOUTHCOM) is responsible for all United States military activities in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean basin. ...

Related operations

• Operation Acid Gambit – operation undertaken by 1st SFOD-D and the 160th SOAR to rescue Kurt Muse during Operation Just Cause.
• Operation Blade Jewel
• Operation Nifty Package – operation to apprehend Manuel Noriega during Operation Just Cause.
• Operation Nimrod Dancer – 7th ID(light) wargames at Ft. Sherman.
• Operation Prayer Book
• Operation Promote Liberty – operation to rebuild the Panamanian military and civilian infrastructure.
• Operation Purple Storm
• Operation Sand Flea – operation to exercise U.S. freedom of movement rights.

ACID GAMBIT (U.S. 89) A plan to rescue Central Intelligence Agency operative Kurt Muse from a Panamanian prison in which he was held in 1989. ... The 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (Airborne) (1st SFOD-D (A)), commonly known as Delta within the U.S. Army or as Delta Force by the general public (officially recognized by the Pentagon as the Combat Applications Group), is a Special Operations Force (SOF) and an element of the... (Redirected from 160th SOAR) Unit name 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) Abbreviated: 160th SOAR (A) Nickname Night Stalkers Branch U.S. Army Mission Provide aviation support to U.S. Special Operations Forces Headquarters Fort Campbell, Kentucky USA Motto Night Stalkers Dont Quit (NSDQ) Death Waits in the Dark... Operation NIFTY PACKAGE was a plan, conducted in the opening hours of the Operation Just Cause, to apprehend or prevent the escape of the Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega. ... Manuel Antonio Noriega Moreno (born February 11, 1938) was a Panamanian general and the de facto military leader of Panama from 1983 to 1989. ... Prayer Book was a series of military plans operations in Panama drawn up beginning in April 1988 as relations between the United States and Panama deteriorated. ... Operation Sand Flea was a series of training exercises for the American invasion of Panama. ...

External links

• BBC News Archive: 1989: U.S. forces oust General Noriega
• 1989 Report on the Situation of Human Rights in Panama by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights describes human rights violations by the Noriega regime before Operation Just Cause.
• "The Panama Deception" - Academy Award-winning documentary (1993).
• How Television Sold the Panama Invasion – Extra!, January 1990; a publication of the media watch group, FAIR.
• Panama: Background of U.S. Invasion of 1989 – historical timeline.
• Operation Just Cause – an excerpt from Deterring Democracy, by Noam Chomsky.
• Photographs from the XVIII Airborne Corps History Office.
• More photographs.
• Tactical map of Operation Just Cause.
• Effects of the military intervention by the United States of America in Panama on the situation in Central America - UN General Assembly Meeting 29 December 1989

Academy Award The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are the most prominent film awards in the United States and most watched awards ceremony in the world. ... Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting (FAIR), founded in 1986, is an American organization that works against and documents bias in the media, censorship, and erroneous reporting. ... Noam Chomsky Avram Noam Chomsky (born December 7, 1928) is the Institute Professor Emeritus of linguistics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. ...

Notes and references

The New York Times is an internationally known daily newspaper published in New York City and distributed in the United States and many other nations worldwide. ... The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (the IACHR or, in Spanish, CIDH) is one of the two bodies that comprise the inter-American system for the promotion and protection of human rights. ... The Los Angeles Times (also known as the LA Times) is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California and distributed throughout the western United States. ...   The George Washington University (GWU) is a private, coeducational, non-sectarian university located in Washington, D.C.. Founded in 1821 as The Columbian College on land provided by former President George Washington, the university has since developed into one of the worlds leading educational and research institutions. ... The Christian Science Monitor (CSM) is an international newspaper published daily, Monday through Friday. ...

Other reading

• New York Times, December 21, 1989,For a Panamanian, Hope and Tragedy, Roberto Eisenmann. (Opinion piece)
• Hagemeister, Stacy & Solon, Jenny. Operation Just Cause: Lessons Learned – Volume I, II & III (Bulletin No. 90-9). Fort Leavenworth, Kansas: Center for Army Lessons Learned – U.S. Army Combined Arms Command. October, 1990.
• Stephen J. Ducat. 2004. The Wimp Factor. Boston:Beacon Press. ISBN 0-8070-4344-3. p. 101-102.