https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/12/panama-canal-trump
"For Isabel Corro, Donald Trump’s suggestions that the US could use military
force to take control of the Panama Canal evokes painful memories.
The 79-year-old vividly recalls rushing her children inside her apartment on 20
December 1989 as US army helicopters and fighter jets screamed over Panama
City, turning buildings to piles of rubble with rockets and gunfire.
Corro’s stepfather, a police officer, was killed in the invasion; his body was
not found until it was hauled from a mass grave the following year.
“I remember that night. The city was quiet, the houses full of decorations and
the entire country was in anticipation of Christmas. Then suddenly, helicopters
were whirring around and the sky was lit up with bombs and gunfire,” Corro
said. “It was an extremely violent and tragic night. One that unfortunately I
will never forget.”
Washington had once backed then president Manuel Noriega – an ally who had
spied for the CIA – but George HW Bush sent in 10,000 troops to oust the
dictator as his role as an international drug kingpin became apparent.
Hundreds of people were killed – many of them civilians – during Operation Just
Cause and the shadow of the invasion still looms large over Panama. Trump’s
comments have stoked fears the US could once again set its military sights on
the country.
“He is a very arrogant man who thinks he can take whatever he wants,” said
Corro, president of the Association of Family Victims of the 1989 US Invasion
of Panama. “He cannot just decide: ‘I’m going to buy this country, I’m going to
invade this one.’ The world is not some big flea market. It should not happen
and we will not let it happen.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
