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One decade before Panama reclaimed its canal, hell broke loose in the capital as General Manuel Noriega abused his power and imbued a regime contrary to the principles of democracy.

Known as a drug dealer and money launderer, Noriega menaced the peace of not only his country but also the entire continent. And when he openly declared a state of war against the United States, the nation’s top brass believed it was time for the illegitimate ruler to face his crimes.

On the night of December 19, 1989, SEAL Teams stormed into the capital with one objective in mind: to seize the dictator. They then targeted Noriega’s private jet and boat in two extremely dangerous missions to cut every possible escape route.

Cornered, the General sought refuge in the Vatican’s embassy. Soldiers and priests alike were surprised by the clever maneuver, and unable to take Noriega by force in such a delicate diplomatic scenario, the American forces were forced to use a few creative and controversial measures…

- As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Docs sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect. I do my best to keep it as visually accurate as possible. All content on Dark Docs is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas. -