US Panama Invasion Accountability
- This podcast episode, hosted by Michael Fox, focuses on the annual December 20th marches in Panama City commemorating the victims of the 1989 US invasion of Panama.
- * the Invasion: On December 20, 1989, 26,000 US troops invaded Panama, bombing key locations and destroying approximately 20,000 homes.
- In essence, the episode highlights a historical injustice and the enduring resilience of the Panamanian people in their pursuit of justice and resistance against perceived US imperialism.
Summary of the Podcast Transcript: The 1989 US Invasion of Panama & Ongoing Protests
This podcast episode, hosted by Michael Fox, focuses on the annual December 20th marches in Panama City commemorating the victims of the 1989 US invasion of Panama. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
* the Invasion: On December 20, 1989, 26,000 US troops invaded Panama, bombing key locations and destroying approximately 20,000 homes. The stated pretext was capturing President Manuel Noriega on drug trafficking charges.
* Human Cost: The invasion resulted in the deaths of at least 560 people, many of whom were innocent civilians. Bodies were reportedly dumped into mass graves.
* Ongoing Protests & Demand for Justice: Panamanians have protested consistently as the invasion,demanding justice and accountability from the United States for its actions.
* Inter-American Commission Ruling: In 2018, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights ruled that the US should pay reparations for the illegal invasion. However, the US has ignored this ruling.
* National Mourning Day: In 2022,Panama officially designated december 20th as “el dia del duelo nacional” (the day of national mourning).
* Current Concerns: Protests continue today, not only to remember the past but also in response to recent calls from Donald Trump to regain control of the Panama Canal and agreements allowing increased US troop presence in Panama.
* Broader context: The host connects the events in Panama to current US foreign policy, notably the potential for intervention in Venezuela, emphasizing the importance of remembering past interventions.
* Further Listening: The host directs listeners to Episode 13 of his podcast “Under the Shadow” for more in-depth reporting from Panama on the 1989 invasion.
In essence, the episode highlights a historical injustice and the enduring resilience of the Panamanian people in their pursuit of justice and resistance against perceived US imperialism. It serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of interventionism and the importance of remembering the past.