Manuel Noriega — SPARQNOW

At-a-Glance

De facto ruler of Panama from 1983 to 1989
Panamanian military officer and politician
Served as chief of military intelligence in Omar Torrijos's government
Had longstanding ties with American intelligence agencies
Indicted for racketeering, drug smuggling, and money laundering
Studied at the Chorrillos Military School and the School of the Americas

Biography

Manuel Antonio Noriega Moreno was a Panamanian military officer and politician who served as the de facto ruler of Panama from 1983 to 1989. He never officially held the title of president, instead governing as an unelected military dictator through puppet presidents. Born in Panama City, Noriega studied at the Chorrillos Military School in Lima and the School of the Americas, rising through the ranks of the Panamanian army.