Current Situation in Panama

The Subcommittee met to discuss the situation in Panama nineteen months after the United States invasion. In December 1989, U.S. troops invaded Panama as part of the military plans of Operation Just Cause. The operation led to the eventual ousting of dictator Manuel Noriega, paving the way for free elections in that strategically important Latin American nation. Since this time, however, the country has been plagued with economic hardship and new governmental scandals. The subcommittee convened to hear testimony and discussed the state of affairs in Panama. Representatives Lagomarsino and Torricelli agreed that the new Endara government was in dire need of American aid. Mr. Harding testified that the Panamanian government was in need of direction from the United States if civil war should break out. Mr. Aronson explained the narcotics connection between Panama and other regions of the world and expressed his disapproval of many aspects of the current Panamanian actions. close