Panamanians honor victims of US invasion on 30th anniversary

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


By JUAN ZAMORANO, Associated Press
Dec. 20, 2019 Updated: Dec. 20, 2019 1:24 p.m.

PANAMA CITY (AP) — Relatives of Panamanians killed during the 1989 U.S. invasion brought flowers to their loved ones’ graves Friday to honor their memory on the 30th anniversary of the military action that ousted then-dictator Manuel Noriega.

President Laurentino Cortizo took part in the solemn event at the Jardin de Paz cemetery in the capital, where about 130 of those killed in the invasion are buried. In the afternoon, demonstrators marched through the center of the city to the neighborhood of El Chorrillo, which was devastated by bombs three decades ago.

“What we have to be doing is seeking the truth,” Cortizo said, “so that the families of the many disappeared know where their loved ones’ remains are.”

According to official figures, 514 Panamanians including both soldiers and civilians died in the invasion, though human rights groups say the losses were greater. On the U.S. side, 23 troops were killed.

Read more: https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/world/article/Panamanians-honor-victims-of-US-invasion-on-30th-14922469.php#photo-18787177

[Judi Lynn]

1. Wikipedia: The Panama Deception

The Panama Deception is a 1992 American documentary film that won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.[1] The film is critical of the actions of the U.S. military during the 1989 invasion of Panama, covering the conflicting reasons for the invasion. It also highlighted media bias within the United States, showing events that were unreported or systematically misreported, including downplaying the number of civilian casualties. It was directed by Barbara Trent, written and edited by David Kasper, and narrated by actress Elizabeth Montgomery. It was a production of the Empowerment Project.

The film asserts that the U.S. government invaded Panama primarily to destroy the PDF, the Panamanian Defense Forces, who were perceived as a threat to U.S. control over Panama, and to install a government friendly to U.S. interests. The film includes footage of mass graves uncovered after the American troops had withdrawn, burned down neighborhoods, as well as depictions of some of the 20,000 refugees who fled the fighting.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Panama_Deception

[doc03]

2. Oh my! That was 30 years ago? Makes me feel really old nt

[TheFourthMind]

3. George H. W. Bush. Think "maybe he's looking up?" I think so. n/t

[Kid Berwyn]

4. Friends

In better days, 1983.