Panama has officially established a truth commission to delve into the U.S. invasion of its territory in 1989. The country’s vice president and foreign affairs minister, Isabel Saint Malo hosted the ceremony to begin what is being called “the December 20 Commission.”
The government of Panama will ask the United States to declassify documents related to the 1989 US invasion that led to the arrest of former president Manual Noriega.
Panama wants to determine how many people died in the military action. The U.S. says about 500 Panamanians were killed in combat, but other estimates put the figure as high as 8,000. An independent commission in 1990 found that about 3,000 Panamanians were killed.
Panama hopes to identify who died and to eventually recommend reparations to their families. This is part of an effort launched by the President of Panama a year and a half ago to “heal the wounds and reconcile our country.”
The U.S. dubbed the 1989 mission “Operation Just Cause.” About 26,000 U.S. troops took part in the assault which lasted less than a month. Twenty-three U.S. service members died.
The invasion targeted then president Manual Noriega who was eventually arrested and taken to the U.S. on drug trafficking and other charges. Noriega, 82, and in frail health, is back in custody in Panama after serving prison sentences in the U.S. and France.
Panama says that once it has determined who was killed in the conflict it will work with international law experts to determine appropriate reparations.