Why did noriega come to power?

Answer 1

Manuel Noriega rose to power in Panama through a combination of military influence and political maneuvering. Initially a key figure in the Panamanian Defense Forces, he gained support from the U.S. during the Cold War due to his anti-communist stance. After the overthrow of General Omar Torrijos, Noriega effectively became the de facto leader, leveraging his control over the military and intelligence services to consolidate power. His regime was marked by corruption and drug trafficking, ultimately leading to his downfall when the U.S. invaded Panama in 1989.