Central America
Panama remembers 33 years of the U.S. invasion: “Causa Justa”, a dark chapter in its history
December 20 |
Today marks the 33rd anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Panama, known as “Just Cause”, a military operation that left a deep mark on the history of the Central American country. On December 20, 1989, 25,000 U.S. troops, along with troops stationed near the Panama Canal, carried out this intervention with the objective of capturing then President Manuel Antonio Noriega.
Noriega, once an ally of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), became an enemy of Washington by challenging U.S. interests, especially by announcing the departure of the School of the Americas, known for its controversial record.
The official justification for the invasion included the protection of U.S. citizens in Panama, the restoration of the democratic system, the security of the Panama Canal and the capture of Noriega to face U.S. justice. However, documents later revealed additional motives, such as abrogating Canal-related treaties and guaranteeing control beyond the year 2000, as well as canceling contracts with Japan for alternatives to the Canal and slowing Panama’s rise on the world stage.
The invasion had devastating consequences. The Catholic Church recorded 655 deaths, according to data that included both military and civilians, while Panama’s Institute of Legal Medicine reported 255 deaths and 93 disappearances. Panamanian human rights organizations and collectives have estimated even higher figures, reaching around 4,000 victims.
In addition to human losses, the country’s infrastructure suffered significant damage, leaving thousands homeless. Despite promises of compensation, many of those affected did not receive sufficient aid.
In the years that followed, Panama experienced a boom in the financial sector, but poverty rates did not show significant improvements. The current situation reflects the coexistence of skyscrapers and substandard housing in the cities.
Despite the time that has passed, the victims and their families continue to demand justice on each anniversary of the invasion. This dark chapter in Panama’s history continues to resonate in the country’s collective memory, reminding us of the need to address the consequences of those events and ensure that justice is done.
Central America
Venezuelan opposition leader to meet Costa Rican president Rodrigo Chaves on thursday
Venezuelan opposition leader Edmundo González Urrutia will meet with Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves this Thursday, the Presidential Office of Costa Rica announced today.
“We will give a warm welcome to the person who won the July elections in Venezuela, and we continue to denounce electoral fraud,” President Chaves stated during his weekly press conference.
Meanwhile, Costa Rican Foreign Minister Arnoldo André explained that González Urrutia is visiting Costa Rica to “inform the president and provide details about the situation in Venezuela, the victory he achieved with over 7 million votes on July 28, and the electoral fraud committed by Nicolás Maduro’s regime, which fraudulently swore him in as president.”
González Urrutia is currently in Guatemala, having arrived from the Dominican Republic as part of a tour through several countries ahead of the controversial inauguration on January 10, during which the Chavista leader Nicolás Maduro was sworn in as president by the National Assembly, controlled by the ruling party.
Central America
President Arévalo highlights anti-corruption and drug trafficking efforts in first year report
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo de León highlighted this Tuesday the progress made in the fight against corruption and drug trafficking as cornerstones of his first year at the helm of the Guatemalan government, during a session in Congress.
“We are in a process of transformation, but the commitment must be focused on eradicating the corruption that has oppressed us for so long,” said the president during the presentation of his first government report.
Arévalo de León urged lawmakers to “work together for structural change” in the country and thanked the president of the Legislative Body, Nery Ramos, for their joint efforts in the approval of various laws and the alliances formed during 2024.
The Guatemalan president highlighted as an achievement of his administration the denunciation of dozens of corruption structures embedded in state entities, such as fraud networks involving businessmen and former officials.
Central America
Honduras arrests former military leaders over 2009 killings
Former Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of Honduras, General Romeo Vásquez, was arrested on Sunday as the alleged person responsible for the 2009 killings of two individuals by military personnel, just days after leading the coup against former President Manuel Zelaya.
Along with him, the Deputy Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Venancio Cervantes, and the former commander of the Joint Operations Command were also detained, according to the Secretary of State for Security (Interior), Gustavo Sánchez, on his social media account X.
“The three arrests were made moments ago by the Honduran Police in coordination with the Public Ministry in Tegucigalpa and La Paz (west),” Sánchez said.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office had issued an arrest warrant for the three ex-military officials “on charges of homicide and aggravated assault” against Obed Murillo and Alex Zavala, who were attacked by “members of the Armed Forces,” according to the Public Ministry.
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