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Noriega, once a close US ally and CIA asset under Bush’s directorship at the agency, fell out of favor when Washington pressured him to step down. In response, he appeared to shift allegiance to the Soviet bloc.
The regime change plan for Panama was authorized in 1988, starting with a gradual increase in the US military presence in the Central American region.
In May 1989, Bush accused Noriega of election fraud and approved a blitzkrieg invasion to remove him.
On December 15, 1989, the Panamanian National Assembly passed a resolution declaring a state of war with the US. A clash between US and Panamanian forces soon triggered an invasion.
On December 20, 1989, over 27,680 US troops and 300 aircraft were deployed to Panama. Bush claimed democracy, human rights, US lives, drug trafficking and maintaining the canal’s neutrality as justifications.
US forces seized key locations, including land approaches to Panama City, Punta Paitilla Airport and the Rio Hato airfield.
Task Force Bayonet stormed Panama Defense Forces (PDF) headquarters, leading to the PDF’s collapse and Noriega’s surrender two weeks later.
