Скачать или смотреть History in Minutes: Operation Just Cause (US Invasion of Panama)

Operation Just Cause was a U.S. military invasion of Panama from December 1989 to January 1990, aimed at deposing dictator Manuel Noriega. Authorized by President George H.W. Bush, the operation involved approximately 27,000 U.S. troops. Key objectives included capturing Noriega for drug trafficking charges, protecting U.S. citizens and interests in the Panama Canal Zone, restoring democracy, and neutralizing the Panamanian Defense Forces (PDF).
The operation began on December 20, 1989, with coordinated assaults on strategic targets, including airfields, PDF headquarters, and Noriega’s assets. Despite some resistance, the PDF was quickly overwhelmed, and Noriega was captured after seeking asylum in the Vatican embassy, surrendering on January 3, 1990. Guillermo Endara, the rightful winner of the annulled 1989 election, was sworn in as president, and the PDF was dissolved.
Casualties included 23 U.S. soldiers, 200–300 Panamanian combatants, and an estimated 300–1,000+ civilians, with significant damage in areas like El Chorrillo. The operation was criticized internationally as a violation of sovereignty, but it achieved its goals of removing Noriega and restoring democratic governance.