The Invasion of Panama Essay - 930 Words

American presidents often establish foreign policies that effect the country’s citizens oversees and in America. The Invasion of Panama was part of the restoration of America’s military prestige, after years of misgivings. The Panama Invasion was the extension of the domestic plans for a Drug-Free America (US II. 33). Lastly, the Invasion of Panama is an example of presidential foreign policies that involve America in foreign affairs. The Panama Invasion was a conflict that was the beginning to better decision-making, but had faults of its own, that followed through to the Persian-Gulf War of 1991. It started with the decision to invade Grenada; President Reagan’s ability to â€Å"react quickly and convincingly to a perceived threat to†¦show more content†¦Within two of Noriega’s residences, â€Å"pictures of Hitler, an extensive pornography collection, $283,000 in cash, Swiss bank account numbers, and a ‘witches diary’† (Ope ration Just Cause Pamphlet) were discovered. On Christmas Eve of 1989, Noriega â€Å"was granted refuge in the home of Papal Nuncio [†¦] until he could gain entry to Cuba† (Operation Just Cause Pamphlet). On December 29 the Archbishop was given permission to visit Noriega’s â€Å"witch house†. Afterwards it was â€Å"recommend to Pope John Paul II that Noriega be turned over to the United States because he committed torture, murder, practiced devil worship and voodoo, and stockpiled weapons to conduct a long-term guerrilla campaign† (Operation Just Cause Pamphlet), Catholic officials finally persuaded Noriega to surrender on January 3. In Florida, â€Å"Noriega was convicted of smuggling cocaine and sentence to forty years imprisonment† (Operation Just Cause Pamphlet) in April 1992. Within American borders, directly before and after the Panama Invasion, President Ronald Reagan started and pushed for a â€Å"Drug-Free America†, initiatin g the â€Å"War on Drugs†. Created in 1973, the Drug Enforcement Administration, or DEA, was facing an uphill battle in its beginning because â€Å"at no time before or since has drug use as socially acceptable as it was during the 1970’s† (Knight). The DEA was stationing itself at borders,Show MoreRelatedAmerica s Recent Diplomatic Initiatives870 Words   |  4 PagesDIPLOMATIC INITIATIVES The United States Invasion of Panama, code-named Operation Just Cause, happened between mid-December 1989 and late-January 1990 (diplomatic initiatives 2016). It occurred during the U.S. President George Bush s term, and ten years after the Torrijos–Carter Treaties were ratified. The treaties transferred the control of the Panama Canal from the United States over to Panama by January 1, 2000 (diplomatic initiatives. 2016). During the invasion, the Panamanian leader, and dictatorRead MoreOperation Just Cause- Panama951 Words   |  4 PagesOperation Just Cause was not the capture of a man; it was the genocide of a country On December 20 of 1989, 26,000 U.S. troops invaded Panama in ‘‘Operation Just Cause’’ to expel and capture the countrys strong man, the former general Manuel Antonio Noriega and destroy his military. No honest Panamanian, no human being can be indifferent to the horror of war, one can justify the thousands of dead innocent civilians. ‘‘Forget Prohibited’’ as many Panamanians says for this day, the worlds mostRead MoreSummary Of The By Lauren Wolfe927 Words   |  4 Pagesthat it happened it was â€Å"difficult to say that to my mother.† (Wolfe) This is just one example of the calamitous effects of American-sponsored regime change operations. Driven by American exceptionalism, America believed that it’s involvement and invasion in other countries would be beneficial to American security. The United States embraced regime change because it pushed for American government to influence the entire world. President bush asserted that American government is â€Å"right and true forRead MoreThe People And Culture Of Panama1077 Words   |  5 PagesPeople and Culture of Panama Panama is vibrant nation, full of culture, beautiful landscapes and beaches, a vast military history pertaining to the U.S., along with world changing technological advances. Even though it is pretty up to date communication and technology wise, it still sticks to its native roots. Panamanians are quick to tell you what they love about their country. Whether it’s the climate, the culture, or the outdoors, national pride runs deep in Panama. Many Panamanians feelRead More Panama History and Culture Essay1377 Words   |  6 PagesPanama History and Culture The culture and political structures of Panama as we know it today has evolved from an incredibly diverse and interesting history. Geographically, Panama lies on an isthmus, a strip of land that essentially connects the greater landmasses of North and South America. It is believed that volcanic activity in the late Pliocene era closed the former Central American Seaway that had separated the two continents. The climatic implications of this landformRead MoreA Historian Must Combine the Rigor of a Scientist with the Imaginatio1614 Words   |  7 Pageshistorians can not agree on the way events really took place. The invasion of Panama is an example of this. Evidence proved that Manuel Noriega, Panamas ruler at the time, was working for the FBI and was on the CIA payroll until 1987, despite the fact that he was known to be involved in drug trafficking, which is a serious crime in all countries. By January 1990 the administration of the canal was due to be handed over t o Panama. Noriegas involvement with the US and co-operation has slowed downRead MoreTheodore Roosevelt s Influence On Latin America1290 Words   |  6 PagesRoosevelt to implement this policy during the invasion of the Dominican Republic by European debt collectors, and Venezuelan Crisis. Lastly, Theodore Roosevelt had a motto: Speak softly and carry a big stick. The United States Navy became Roosevelt’s stick, which aided the United States in both defending its territory and avoiding war. Many Latin Americans did not look favorably on â€Å"Yankee Imperialism,† which resulted in more than thirty-five invasions from the United States. The conflict that cameRead MoreGunboat Diplomacy1524 Words   |  7 Pagesbegan plans for the construction of the Panama Canal. This is where the essence of the Gunboat Diplomacy comes in. Gunboat Diplomacy involves intimidation by threat or use of military force. He ended up taking Panama and then leaving the Congress to debate the situation out and while debating was building the canal. The invasion of Panama to depose Manuel Noriega was the root of Gunboat Diplomacy. Before the Panama Canal was constructed, the country of Panama was a province of Columbia. The FederalRead More Iraq: a Lesson from Panama Imperialism and Struggle for Sovereignty4429 Words   |  18 PagesIraq: a Lesson from Panama Imperialism and Struggle for Sovereignty If History is to be the signifier of lessons learned, then why do wars continue to happen? The United States has never really been considered an Imperialist nation, but as history proves, the US has had a long stake in international geopolitical control over various countries, as well as economic markets that have made these countries dependent on the United States for survival. In light of recent events in Iraq,Read MoreThe Invasion of Grenada839 Words   |  3 PagesThe invasion of Grenada also know as â€Å"Operation Urgent Fury† was a U.S invasion to the Grenada Island in 1983 that Overthrew the communist government in favor of a pro-Western one in a period of less than two months. On October 13, President Reagan was made aware of possible trouble in Granada. Deputy Prime Minister Bernard Coard had removed Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and recognized military rule. Six days later, Bishop was murdered. Bishop was a socialist and had bonds with Cuba; he spent hi s