1989. 2001. The Encyclopedia of World History

The Encyclopedia of World History. 2001.


1989

Panama's population reached 2,373,000.	1

April 27

U.S. president George Bush extended the sanctions against Panama.	2

May 7

In presidential elections, the government candidate was declared the winner, but the results were annulled three days later (May 10) when international observers complained of massive fraud and intimidation.	3

Dec

After a two-year campaign to oust Noriega, U.S. FORCES INVADED PANAMA, ostensibly to protect American lives, defend democracy, arrest Noriega on drug charges, and protect the canal. The invasion was broadly condemned as a violation of the U.N. Charter and the OAS treaty, and it led to the deaths of approximately 3,000 to 4,000 Panamanians, mostly civilians living in poor urban neighborhoods. After the invasion, U.S. forces installed Guillermo Endara as president. Many observers were skeptical about the stated motives for the invasion, arguing that U.S. intelligence had long known of Noriega's involvement in drug trafficking. Instead, they argued that the invasion was prompted by the Bush administration's fear of being unable to control Noriega, and enmity on the part of the Republican administration to the Carter-Torrijos treaties.	4

Dec. 29

The U.N. General Assembly voted 75–20 (with 40 abstentions) to condemn the U.S. invasion as a flagrant violation of international law.	5


The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.