American Hegemonism and Double Standards – the 1989 American Invasion of Panama!
On December 20th, 1989, in the name of protecting American nationals, protecting democratic elections and combating drug trafficking – the United States launched a military invasion of Panama, code-named “Operation Justice Army”. The 15-day war – which killed and wounded thousands, overthrew Panama’s military Dictator – Noriega – and installed the Pro-American – Ndara – government. This action triggered strong condemnation (and controversy) from the international community. What were the reasons and intentions behind the US invasion of Panama?
Reason: Control of the Panama Canal – Fight Against Noriega
Panama is a small country located to the South of Central America. Its most important geographical feature is the Panama Canal that runs through its territory. This artificial waterway – connecting the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean – is one of the most important shipping lanes in the world and has great influence on global trade and strategy. The United States is the largest shareholder and user of this canal.
As early as 1903, the United States supported Panama’s ‘Independence’ from Colombia – and signed the ‘Haydon-Varira Treaty’ and this agreement obtained permanent control (and lease rights) of the canal area – deliberately establishing multiple US military bases in the vicinity. In 1977, the ‘Panama Canal Treaty’ was signed between President Carter and General Torrijos (the de facto supreme leader of Panama at the time) – which stipulated that the United States would return the Canal to Panama in 2000 – and gradually withdraw its military bases.
However, in 1983, Torrijos was forced to retire by his subordinate (the US-backed) – Noriega – through a coup! Noriega became the Commander-in-Chief of the National Defence Forces. Noriega was originally employed by the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for a long time – tasked with providing intelligence – but he took a tough stand after he took office, demanding that the United States abide by the treaty and return the sovereignty of the Canal whilst withdrawing ALL military installations! In opposition to these self-determining demands – the US accused Noriega of participating in drug trafficking activities and colluding with anti-American forces in Cuba and Nicaragua!
In May 1989, during a presidential election full of suspicions of fraud – Noriega announced the victory of his Party and denied that the US-backed Presidential candidate – Ndala – (jointly elected by the opposition), had won the election. In September of the same year, the United States imposed economic sanctions on Panama. In response, on December 15th, 1989, Noriega declared a State of War with the United States and appointed himself as the political and military ‘Highest Authority’.
Consequence – The US Military Quickly Captures Strategic Points
At 1 am on the morning oof December 20th (local time), 1989 – the United States began its military invasion of Panama. A total of 27,684 US troops – and more than 300 aircraft participated in the operation. These US invasion forces faced the Panamanian National Defence Forces – totaling around 16,000 soldiers.
The primary objective of the US military operations was to capture strategic installations – such as the Headquarters of the Panamanian National Defence Forces, Torrijos Airport, Lunace Prison, Rejato Airport, Petilla Airport, Balboa Port, Fort Amador, Coco Kosolo and others. The attack on the Headquarters of the Panamanian National Defence Forces by US Forces sparked several fires that destroyed most of the adjoining (and densely populated) residential areas of downtown Panama. According to eyewitnesses, the fires were deliberately set by American soldiers in order to force Panamanian National Defence Forces soldiers out of their hiding places.
The US Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marines participated in Operation Justice Division. Ground forces consisted of the 6th Infantry Regiment of the 5th Infantry Division, the 18th Airborne Regiment, the 82nd Airborne Division, the 16th Military Police Brigade, the 7th Infantry Division, the 75th Ranger Regiment, a Joint Special Operations Team, the Missouri National Guard, the 1183rd Military Police Company, the 193rd Infantry Brigade, the 805th Infantry Regiment, the 539th Engineer Battalion and the 2nd Light Armoured Reconnaissance Battalion.
The Panama Defence Forces shot down two US Special Operations helicopters and forced an AH-6 Light Scout Helicopter to crash into the Panama Canal. The actions of the US military resulted in the death of at least 200 Panamanian civilians and more than 300 soldiers.
Within hours of the start of the fighting – an interim Government Office was established in the US-controlled Rodman Naval Station – and Ndara was announced as the new President! The European Community and other Latin American governments (except Cuba) and the United Nations General Assembly (but not the Security Council) immediately recognised and supported the legitimacy of this action.
Impact: US Fails to Meet Expectations
The original purpose of the US invasion of Panama was to keep US-control over the Panama Canal. Noriega was originally a Dictator supported by the CIA and was called an ‘American hooligan’ by former US President Bush. However, after he came to power, he took a tough stance and demanded that the United States abide by the ‘Panama Canal Treaty’ and return the sovereignty of the Panama Canal and withdraw the US troops stationed in the Panama Canal.
The United States planned to overthrow Noriega and support the Pro-American Ndara in order to renegotiate the ownership of the Panama Canal. However, after the United States invaded Panama, Panama’s anti-American sentiment was high, and the Panamanian people had a strong desire to recover the Canal Zone. The Meendala government also complied with public opinion and demanded that the United States return the Panama Canal.
Finally, on December 31st, 1999, the US government had to abide by the ‘Panama Canal Treaty’ and return all land, buildings, military bases, infrastructure and all management rights of the Panama Canal to Panama. The conflict between Panama and the United States finally ended peacefully.
Evaluation: The invasion was Questioned and Criticized
Although Operation Justice Division is considered a successful military operation – it has also been questioned and criticized from various quarters. Some considered the invasion a violation of International Law and the Panama Canal Treaty as an illegal interference and aggression against a Sovereign State.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 44/240 – condemning the invasion and calling for an immediate cessation of force and the withdrawal of all foreign troops. The Resolution passed with 75 votes in favour, 20 against and 40 abstentions. The Security Council also tried to adopt a Resolution of similar content (No. 668) – but it was vetoed by the three permanent members of the United States, the United Kingdom and France.
In addition, the invasion also triggered a humanitarian crisis and heavy losses. According to different sources, an estimated 250 to 3,500 civilians were killed or went missing in the fighting and thousands more were injured or made homeless. The US underestimated the number of civilian deaths and failed to conduct a comprehensive and transparent investigation. The invasion caused about US$1.5 billion to US$2 billion in property damage – and seriously affected local economic activities and social order.
Conclusion: The Invasion Exposed US Hegemony
The US invasion of Panama, while ostensibly to protect US citizens, restore democracy – and fight drugs – was in fact to preserve US interests and influence in the Panama Canal Zone and eliminate a disobedient Puppet Regime. This action exposed the hegemony and double standards practiced by the United States, violated international law and humanitarian principles, caused huge casualties and property losses to Panama and aroused strong condemnation from countries in Latin America and the world.
This action also provides us with some enlightenment: First, we should not believe in the slogan of justice and democracy as pursued by the United States – and we must be alert to the interests and purposes hidden behind it. The second is not to rely on the United States (or any other big country) as we must uphold our own sovereignty and dignity; the third is to strengthen solidarity and cooperation with other developing countries to jointly safeguard multilateralism, fairness and justice.
NOTE: US Military Casualties in Panama = 23 Killed – 325 Wounded by Enemy Action – with 2 Killed – 19 Wounded by ‘Friendly Fire’
Chinese Language Source:
从美国入侵巴拿马看美国的霸权主义和双重标准
时代风华录
2023-03-23
1989年12月20日，美国以保护美国侨民、保护民主选举和打击贩毒为名，对巴拿马发动了代号为“正义之师行动”的军事入侵。这场持续了15天的战争，造成了数千人的死伤，推翻了巴拿马的军事独裁者诺列加，并扶植了亲美的恩达拉政府。这次行动也引发了国际社会的强烈谴责和争议。那么，美国入侵巴拿马的背后有哪些原因和目的呢？我们来分析一下。
原因：控制运河、打击诺列加
巴拿马是一个位于中美洲南部的小国，它最重要的地理特征就是横贯其境内的巴拿马运河。这条连接太平洋和大西洋的人工水道，是世界上最重要的航运通道之一，对于全球贸易和战略有着极大的影响力。而美国则是运河最大的利益相关者和使用者。
早在1903年，美国就支持巴拿马从哥伦比亚独立，并与其签订《海顿-瓦里拉条约》，获得了运河区域永久控制权和租赁权，并在那里建立了多个军事基地。1977年，在卡特总统和托里霍斯将军（当时巴拿马实际上最高领导人）之间签订了《巴拿马运河条约》，规定美国将于2000年交还运河给巴拿马，并逐步撤出军事基地。
然而，在1983年，托里霍斯被他手下的诺列加通过政变迫使退休，并自任国防军总司令。诺列加原本是美国中央情报局（CIA）长期雇佣提供情报的人物，但他上台后立场强硬，要求美国遵守条约交还运河主权，并撤离所有军事设施。他还被指控参与贩毒活动，并与古巴、尼加拉瓜等反美势力勾结。
1989年5月，在一场充满舞弊嫌疑的总统选举中，诺列加宣布自己所属政党获胜，并否认反对派联合推举之总统候选人恩达拉获得选举胜利 。同年9月，美国对巴拿马实行经济制裁；12月15日，诺列加宣布与美进入战争状态，并自任“最高领导人”。
经过：美军快速攻占战略要点
当地时间12月20日凌晨1点钟，美国开始军事入侵巴拿马时。此次行动总共有27,684名美军和300多架飞机参加。而他们面对的是总数为16,000名士兵的巴拿马国防军。
美军行动的首要目标是占领战略设施，如巴拿马国防军的总部、托里霍斯机场、伦阿塞监狱、雷哈托机场、派蒂利亚机场、巴波亚港、阿马多尔堡、科科索洛等地。美军在攻击巴拿马国防军的总部时，引发了一些火灾，令巴拿马市中心的大部分毗邻地区和人口稠密的居民区被严重烧毁。据目击者说，这些火灾是美国士兵故意放火焚烧的，为的是迫使巴拿马国防军军人离开藏匿地方。
美国陆军、空军、海军和海军陆战队参加了正义之师作战。地面部队由第5步兵师的第6步兵团，第18空降团，第82空降师，第16宪兵旅，第7步兵师，第75游骑兵团，一个联合特别行动队，密苏里州国民警卫队的第1183宪兵连，第193步兵旅，第805步兵团，第539工兵营和第二轻型装甲侦察营等部队组成。
巴拿马国防军击落了两架美军特种作战直升机，并迫使一架AH-6轻型侦察直升机坠落在巴拿马运河里。美军的行动造成至少200多名巴拿马平民死亡，300多名士兵阵亡。
在战斗开始后的几小时内，在罗德曼海军建立临时政府办公室，并宣布恩达拉就任新总统，并得到了欧洲共同体和拉丁美洲其他国家政府（除古巴外）以及联合国大会（但不包含安理会）对其合法性与合理性之肯定与支持。
影响：美国未能达到预期目的
美国入侵巴拿马的原本目的是为了保住美国对巴拿马运河的控制权，诺列加原先是美国中情局扶持的独裁者，被美国前总统布什称为“美国人的流氓”。但其上台后立场强硬，要求美国遵守《巴拿马运河条约》交回巴拿马运河主权，并撤离驻巴拿马运河美军。
美国计划推翻诺列加扶持亲美的恩达拉，以求重新谈判巴拿马运河的归属问题，但美国入侵巴拿马后，巴拿马反美情绪高涨，巴拿马人民收复运河区意愿非常强烈，即使是美军扶持的亲美恩达拉政府也顺应民意要求美国交还巴拿马运河。
最终在1999年12月31日， 美国政府不得不遵守《巴拿马运河条约》将巴拿马运河 所有土地、建筑、军事基地、基础设施和所有的管理权都交还给巴拿马 ，巴美间的冲突终于和平结束。
评价：入侵行动受到质疑和批评
虽然正义之师作战被认为是一次成功的军事行动，但也受到了来自各方面的质疑和批评。一些人认为这次入侵违反了 国际法 和 巴拿马运河条约 ，是一次对一个主权国家的非法干涉和侵略。
联合国大会 通过了第44/240号决议 ，谴责这次入侵，并要求立即停止武力行动并撤出所有外来部队。该决议以75票赞成、20票反对、40票弃权通过。安理会也试图通过类似内容的决议（第668号），但被 美国、 英国和法国三个常任理事国否决。
此外，这次入侵也引发了人道主义危机和重大损失。根据不同来源，估计有250至3,500名平民在战斗中死亡或失踪，数千人受伤或无家可归。 美方对平民死亡数字进行了低估，并没有进行全面和透明的调查。 入侵造成了约15亿至20亿 美元 的财产损失，并严重影响了当地经济活动和社会秩序。
结论：入侵行动暴露了美国的霸权主义
美国入侵巴拿马的行动，虽然在表面上声称是为了保护美国公民，恢复民主和打击毒品，但实际上是为了维护美国在巴拿马运河区的利益和影响力，以及消除一个不听话的傀儡。这次行动暴露了美国的霸权主义和双重标准，违反了国际法和人道主义原则，给巴拿马造成了巨大的人员伤亡和财产损失，并引发了拉丁美洲和世界各国的强烈谴责。
这次行动也给我们提供了一些启示：一是不能轻信美国的正义和民主的口号，要警惕其背后隐藏的利益和目的; 二是不能过分依赖美国或任何一个大国，要坚持自己的主权和尊严；三是要加强与其他发展中国家的团结合作，共同维护多边主义和公平正义。
THE SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 