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.