This is the tenth time this century that US imperialism has invaded or occupied Panamanian territory. All this interference has not changed by one jot the poverty and injustice suffered by the population. Thus, Bush's claim that he is going to re-establish democracy in Panama is ridiculous. The terrible consequences of every US intervention in Latin America for the continent's inhabitants are well-known. Misery, hunger and corruption. The argument that the invasion is part of a struggle against corruption is also ludicrous, since it is precisely by buy28 ing people that imperialim has tried to
Усатений NiCARAGUA OCEANO PACÍPICO avoid from the start every attempt at civil resistance, offering a fistful of dollars to those who surrender their arms or give information on the whereabouts of Noriega's associates.
More than 300 Panamanian soldiers were killed, and some 500 civilians have been assassinated by the occupying troops without fear of punishment. George Bush is directly responsible for these crimes. He is also responsible for the material damage, already estimated at more than US$3 billion. He is responsible for the violence against the Nicaraguan Embassy and hundreds of defenseless civilians. Finally he is responsible for the arrest and detention of more than 5,000 Panamanians who have been transferred at gunpoint into secret prisons, without anyone knowing what is happening to them. Among them are many Panamanian social activists and revolutionary militants. Noriega learnt methods from
There is not much more to say about the situation of the ex-dictator Manuel Noriega, His role as a CIA informer at least since 1976 — at precisely the time when Bush was responsible for that organization — is well-known, as is his part in supplying arms to the Nicaraguan Con-
Noriega is a product of the antiinsurgency schools in the US. It was there that he learned most of his methods for controlling the population.
US imperialism used all the latest military techniques, notably the new Stealth bomber, in its invasion, as well as the rapid deployment strategies developed by the Pentagon to reinforce the military doctrine known under the title "Low intensity operations". This was exemplified by the participation of the 82nd Airborne Division and the "special task forces". All this shows that the imperialists do not intend to limit their aggression to Panama.
As soon as the invasion started, the Yankee occupation forces undertook to transport Guillermo Endara to one of their 11 military bases on Panamanian soil. It was under these conditions that Endara, a candidate in the elections last May which were marked by massive overt fraud and which Noriega annulled - took office as president.
The circumstances of its birth define the servile character of the new ruler towards his imperialist patron. A few days after, Endara made a public declaration against the governments of Nicaragua and Cuba, threatening to break diplomatic relations if they did not immediately recognize his
MAR DEL CARIBE
COLOM
The invasion of Panama took place at a moment when other countries and revolutionary movements in the region are trying to consolidate the democratic process (as with the FSLN in Nicaragua) or gain real political independence (the FMLN in El Salvador). Thus the landing of 24,000 marines in Panama must be seen as an open provocation menacing the whole region with death and desolation. It is not surprising that the only Latin American president who has openly supported the US action is El Salvador's Alfredo Cris-
Invasion is warning to revolutionary forces
The invasion of Panama is a clear warning to the democratic and revolutionary forces; the next target of the imperialists is the besieged Nicaraguan revolution. The transfer of the Panama canal to exclusive Panamanian control, scheduled for 1999 by the Torrijos-Carter accords of 1977, has been thrown into question by the invasion. This would be the most damaging the consequence of the invasion for the Panamanian people.
It is necessary to immediately mobilize to demand the withdrawal of US troops from Panamanian territory. It is for the Panamanian people to decide their own destiny.*
INpreCOR
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