Panama - December 1988 to May 1991.
Abstract
On the morning of 20 December 1989, the U.S. and the World awoke to the news of Operation Just Cause. For most, Operation Just Cause came as a complete surprise. To many it was a spontaneous action directly and solely perpetuated by the unfortunate killing of Lieutenant Paz, U.S. Navy, on 16 December 1989 by PDF soldiers. The truth of the matter is a crisis in Panama had existed for some time. The crisis spans a period from June 1987 to the present. Furthermore, the implications of low intensity conflict go far beyond the application of a singular peacetime contingency operation - Just Cause. The Panama crisis classic contemporary study of employing virtually all of the types of peacetime contingency operations in one real life crisis. In June of 1987, General Manuel Antonio Noriega and close confidant - but subordinate - Colonel Roberto Diaz Herrera had a parting of ways. The split was so divisive that Colonel Herrera publicly accused General Noriega of supporting drug traffickers, creating conditions which led to General Noriega's indictment and, most recently, his conviction. Reaction in Panama was vocal, physical and chaotic. It was manifested in frequent street demonstrations and national strikes which frequently led to riotous situations. General Noriega initially tried to deal with the situation with repression, nationalistic hype and anti-American rhetoric. He ultimately turned to oppression. Law and order was deteriorating.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 28, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA295950
Entities
People
- Ernest A. Hinojosa Iii
Organizations
- United States Army War College