The Young Soldier
On a sunny morning in 1934, a baby boy was born in Panama City. His name was Manuel Antonio Noriega. His family didn’t have much money, but little Manuel had big dreams.
Growing up, Manuel lived in a small house with his grandmother. His parents weren’t around much, but his grandmother loved him very much. She worked hard to make sure he had food to eat and clothes to wear.
Manuel was a smart boy who loved going to school. His teachers noticed how clever he was. They helped him get into the best high school in Panama City. This was a big deal for a poor boy!
Dreams of Being a Soldier
Young Manuel watched soldiers march through the streets of Panama City. They looked so strong and important in their uniforms. He decided he wanted to be just like them when he grew up. ✈️
“One day, I’ll wear that uniform too,” Manuel would tell his grandmother.
After high school, something amazing happened. Manuel got a special chance to go to a military school! This school was called Chorrillos Military School, and it was in Peru.
“Study hard and make your country proud,” his grandmother told him as he left for Peru.
Learning to Be a Leader
At military school, Manuel worked very hard. He learned lots of important things:
• How to be a good soldier
• How to lead other soldiers
• How to make smart plans
• How to speak English
His teachers liked how hard he worked. They saw that Manuel was special. He wasn’t just strong – he was clever too!
Coming Home a Hero
When Manuel finished school, he came back to Panama as a trained soldier. Everyone was proud of him! He joined Panama’s National Guard, which was like a big team that protected the country.
The other soldiers liked Manuel because he was smart and knew how to get things done. His bosses noticed this too. They gave him more and more important jobs to do.
Manuel started meeting important people in Panama. They saw how talented he was and wanted him on their team. He was no longer the poor boy from Panama City – he was becoming an important leader!
Young Manuel had come a long way from his small house in Panama City. He was now wearing the uniform he had dreamed about as a boy. But this was just the beginning of his story. Manuel Noriega was about to become one of the most powerful men in Panama.
Life in the National Guard
Every morning, Manuel would wake up early and put on his clean, pressed uniform. He worked hard to keep his boots shiny and his medals straight. Other soldiers looked up to him because he always did things the right way.
“What makes a good leader?” a young soldier once asked him.
“A good leader must be smart, strong, and always ready to learn,” Manuel answered with a smile.
The little boy who once watched soldiers march through the streets was now leading the march himself. But bigger changes were coming to Panama, and Manuel Noriega would be right in the middle of them all.
Rising Through the Ranks
By the early 1970s, Manuel Noriega was becoming a very important man in Panama. His friendship with Omar Torrijos, Panama’s leader, helped him get special jobs in the military.
Making Powerful Friends
Noriega was very good at making friends with important people. He started working with the CIA, which is like America’s special spy team. ️♂️ They liked how he could get information about other countries.
“Manuel is very helpful to us,” the CIA agents would say. They gave him money and special training to help them during the Cold War.
“Knowledge is power,” Noriega would often tell his soldiers. “The more we know, the stronger we are.”
Building His Power
Noriega was clever about making himself more powerful. He did this by:
• Learning everyone’s secrets
• Making friends with important people
• Helping both good guys and bad guys
• Always staying one step ahead
But some people didn’t like how Noriega did things. They said he wasn’t always nice to people who didn’t agree with him.
Becoming “The Boss”
When Omar Torrijos died in a plane crash in 1981, Panama needed new leaders. Noriega saw his chance to become more powerful. He worked hard to become the boss of Panama’s military.
Life as the Strongman
Noriega lived in a big house now, very different from the small home where he grew up. He had lots of money and nice things. People would bow when they saw him coming.
Every morning, soldiers would stand at attention when his car drove by. He had special guards to protect him all the time. Everyone knew he was the most powerful man in Panama.
“El Jefe knows everything,” people would whisper. “He has eyes and ears everywhere.”
Playing Both Sides
Noriega was smart about keeping his power. He helped the United States fight bad guys in Central America. But secretly, he also helped other countries that America didn’t like.
He was like a juggler, keeping many balls in the air at once. ♂️ He needed to be careful that none of them fell.
Changes in Panama
Under Noriega’s control, Panama changed a lot. He made sure everyone knew he was in charge. His picture was everywhere – in offices, schools, and on TV.
Some people in Panama were happy because Noriega gave them jobs and money. But others were scared because bad things happened to people who didn’t like him.
“Panama is like a big family,” Noriega would say in speeches. “And I am the father who takes care of everyone.”
But trouble was coming. Some of Noriega’s secrets were about to come out. The United States was starting to think that maybe their friend wasn’t such a good friend after all. Storm clouds were gathering over Panama, and Noriega’s power was about to be tested in ways he never expected.
The Iron Grip
The sun rose over Panama City as Manuel Noriega sat in his big office. It was 1983, and he was now the most powerful man in Panama. His desk was covered with papers full of secrets.
Rules and Fear
Life changed a lot in Panama. Noriega made strict rules that everyone had to follow. People who spoke against him would get in big trouble.
“We must have order,” Noriega would tell his soldiers. “Order keeps us safe.”
But many people were scared. They couldn’t say what they really thought. Some brave people who tried to speak up disappeared.
The Big Changes
Here’s what happened when Noriega was in charge:
• No one could have meetings without his say-so
• Newspapers could only write nice things about him
• His soldiers watched everything people did
• Anyone who complained went to jail
Making Money the Wrong Way
Noriega started doing bad things to get more money. He let people sell drugs through Panama. He would say one thing to the United States but do something different behind their backs.
Life Under the Dictator
Every morning, Noriega’s special guards would drive him around Panama City. People had to clap when they saw him. His pictures were in every store and school.
“El Jefe knows best,” teachers had to tell their students. “He takes care of Panama.”
The Resistance Grows
Some brave Panamanians started meeting in secret. They didn’t like how Noriega was running things. They wanted Panama to be free again.
One brave newspaper editor wrote: “We want to choose our own leaders!” But Noriega’s soldiers closed down his newspaper the next day.
Living in Fear
People were afraid to talk on the phone. They thought Noriega’s spies were listening. Parents told their children to be careful what they said at school.
The Two Faces
To some people, Noriega showed a nice face. He gave money to poor families and built new schools. But to others, he showed an angry face. Anyone who disagreed with him could lose their job or go to jail.
“Panama is like my garden,” Noriega would say. “I pull out the weeds to keep it beautiful.”
Growing Problems
More and more people started to dislike Noriega. Students had protest marches. Business owners closed their shops. Even some of Noriega’s old friends started to worry.
The United States was watching too. They didn’t like what they saw. Their friend was becoming a big problem. ️ Dark clouds were gathering over Panama, and Noriega’s power was starting to shake.
But Noriega didn’t care. He thought he was too strong to fall. He kept making more enemies and breaking more rules. Soon, he would learn that no one can be the boss forever.
Breaking Alliances
Dark clouds gathered over Panama in 1987. ️ The United States was very angry with Noriega. His friend had become his enemy.
The Big Secret
One day, a newspaper told everyone Noriega’s secret. He was getting lots of money from drug dealers. People were shocked!
“How could he do this to Panama?” many people asked. “He promised to protect us!”
Friends Turn Away
The CIA stopped working with Noriega. They had given him money and help for years. Now they said he was too bad to be their friend. ❌
Even his old friends in Panama started staying away from him. No one wanted to be seen with the bad general anymore.
Money Problems
Here's what happened when people found out about Noriega's secrets:
• Banks stopped taking Panama's money
• Stores had trouble getting food and supplies
• Many people lost their jobs
• The country became very poor
Fighting Back
Noriega got very angry when people turned against him. He sent his soldiers to close more newspapers. He put more people in jail.
World Watches
Other countries started talking about Panama. They didn’t like what Noriega was doing. TV news showed people protesting in Panama’s streets.
“The world is watching,” one reporter said. “And they don’t like what they see.”
No More Help
The United States stopped giving money to Panama. They told other countries not to help either. ❌ Panama started getting very poor.
People couldn’t buy the things they needed. Food was hard to find. Many families were hungry.
Noriega Fights Back
Instead of fixing things, Noriega got meaner. He told everyone the United States was being unfair. He said they were trying to control Panama.
Getting Desperate
Noriega started making new friends with people who didn’t like the United States. He thought they would help him stay in power.
“Panama is strong!” he would shout. “We don’t need American friends!”
Dangerous Times
Life got scary in Panama. Soldiers were everywhere. People were afraid to go outside at night. Everyone wondered what would happen next.
The United States warned Noriega to change his ways. But he wouldn’t listen. He thought he could still win.
Storm Coming
Big changes were coming to Panama. ️ The United States was losing patience. Other countries wanted Noriega gone. Even his own soldiers were starting to worry.
Noriega sat in his office, still giving orders. But his power was getting weaker every day. The man who once controlled everything was starting to lose control.
Countdown to War
The year was 1989. Panama was like a pot about to boil over. General Noriega could feel his power slipping away.
A Scared City
Panama City was very quiet. People stayed home more. Soldiers walked the streets with big guns. Everyone felt scared.
“We can’t live like this anymore,” whispered one mom to her children. “Something has to change.”
Last Chances
The United States tried one more time to talk to Noriega. They said, “Step down, and no one gets hurt.”
But Noriega wouldn’t listen. He thought he was still strong enough to fight back.
Bad Choices
These were the things Noriega did that made everyone angry:
• He hurt people who didn’t agree with him
• He took money that wasn’t his
• He helped bad people sell drugs
• He wouldn’t let people vote fairly
• He made Panama’s friends become enemies
Soldiers Get Ready
American ships moved closer to Panama. ⚓ Big planes flew overhead. Soldiers started getting ready for something big.
People Take Sides
Some people in Panama still liked Noriega. They said he made Panama strong. But most people wanted him gone.
“He doesn’t care about us anymore,” said one teacher. “He only cares about himself.”
Hide and Seek
Noriega started sleeping in different places each night. He was afraid someone would catch him. His soldiers couldn’t protect him forever.
“No one can touch me,” he told his friends. But his voice shook when he said it.
The World Watches
TV news showed Panama every day. People all over the world wondered what would happen. Would there be a war?
Last Days
Noriega’s soldiers started fighting with American soldiers. Small fights broke out. Things were getting worse.
One American soldier got hurt. That made the United States very angry.
Storm Clouds
The air felt heavy in Panama. ️ Like right before a big storm. People packed bags just in case they had to leave quickly.
“Be ready,” parents told their children. “Things might get scary soon.”
Final Hours
In December 1989, Noriega knew his time was almost up. But he still wouldn’t give up. He thought he could win one more time.
But the United States had made up its mind. They were coming to get him. The only question was when.
The Wait
Everyone in Panama waited and watched. Would there be fighting? Would people get hurt? No one knew what would happen next.
But they knew one thing for sure – General Noriega’s time as Panama’s leader was almost over.
The Final Battle
On December 20, 1989, the night sky over Panama lit up like fireworks. Operation Just Cause had begun. American soldiers came to catch Noriega.
The Big Search
Noriega ran away and hid. ♂️ He didn’t want to be found. American soldiers looked everywhere for him.
“Where did the general go?” everyone asked. No one knew the answer.
A Surprise Hide-out
After four days of hiding, Noriega did something funny. He ran to a church! ♂️ ⛪ He thought no one would look for him there.
But the American soldiers were smart. They played loud rock music outside the church until Noriega couldn’t take it anymore!
The End of Running
Finally, on January 3, 1990, Noriega gave up. He walked out of the church wearing his uniform. ♂️ His time as Panama’s leader was over.
Going to Court
Noriega had to go to court in America. The judges said he did many bad things:
• Helping people sell drugs
• Taking money that wasn’t his
• Hurting people who didn’t agree with him
A New Panama
Panama started to change after Noriega left. People could vote for their leaders. Kids could go to school without being afraid.
“Now we can build a better country,” said one happy mom. “Our children will have a good future.”
Learning from the Past
Today, Panama is a different place. It has tall buildings and a big canal where ships from all over the world come to visit.
The Big Lesson
Noriega’s story teaches us something important: Being mean and greedy never works out well. It’s better to be kind and honest.
The people of Panama learned that they are stronger when they work together. They don’t need a mean leader to tell them what to do.
Looking Forward
Panama keeps getting better every year. Children go to good schools. Parents have good jobs. People are happy.
“We will never forget what happened,” said one teacher. “But we will always remember how we became free.”
A Better Tomorrow
Today, Panama shows the world that good things can come after bad times. The country is peaceful, and its people are proud.
And somewhere in his prison cell, Manuel Noriega learned the biggest lesson of all: No one is above the law, not even a general.