Illegal drug trade in Panama
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This article's lead section contains information that is not included elsewhere in the article. (December 2023) |
The illegal drug trade in Panama includes trans-shipment of
Manuel Noriega
Although the relationship did not become contractual until 1967, Noriega worked with the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from the late 1950s until the 1980s.[2] In 1988 the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration indicted him on federal drug charges.[3][4]
The 1988 Senate Subcommittee on Terrorism, Narcotics and International Operations concluded that "The saga of Panama's General Manuel Antonio Noriega represents one of the most serious foreign policy failures for the United States. Throughout the 1970s and the 1980s, Noriega was able to manipulate U.S. policy toward his country, while skillfully accumulating near-absolute power in Panama. It is clear that each U.S. government agency which had a relationship with Noriega turned a blind eye to his corruption and drug dealing, even as he was emerging as a key player on behalf of the Medellín Cartel (a member of which was notorious Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar)." Noriega was allowed to establish "the hemisphere's first 'narcokleptocracy'".[5]
One of the large financial institutions that he was able to use to launder money was the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI) which was shut down at the end of the Cold War by the FBI. Noriega shared his cell with ex-BCCI executives in the facility that is known as "Club Med".
As a result of the 1989
See also
References
- ^ "The Sinaloa cartel, which STRATFOR believes is the most capable Mexican trafficker of cocaine, has been detected operating a fairly extensive overland smuggling route from Panama to El Salvador." - Stratfor, 26 March 2009, Central America: An Emerging Role in the Drug Trade
- ^ "Key dates for ex-Panama dictator Manuel Noriega". Associated Press. April 27, 2010. Archived from the original on April 30, 2010.
- ^ "1985–1990". DEA History Book. Drug Enforcement Administration. Archived from the original on July 27, 2010. Retrieved December 23, 2008.
- ^ Shenon, Philip (February 6, 1988). "Noriega Indicted By U.S. For Links To Illegal Drugs". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved July 16, 2010.
- United States Government Printing Office. December 1988: 3.)
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(help - ^ "Extradition fight halts former Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega's release from US prison". International Herald Tribune. Associated Press. 9 September 2007.
- ]
- ^ "French court hands Noriega 7-year prison term". The Associated Press. July 7, 2010.