Operation Nifty Package was a United States Delta and Navy SEAL-operated plan conducted in 1989 designed to capture Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega. When Noriega took refuge in the Apostolic Nunciature of the Holy See, deafening music and other psychological warfare tactics were used to convince him to exit and surrender himself.
Noriega is escorted onto a U.S. Air Force MC-130E Combat Talon I by agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and U.S. Marshals Service
United States invasion of Panama
The United States invaded Panama in mid-December 1989 during the presidency of George H. W. Bush. The primary purpose of the invasion was to depose the de facto ruler of Panama, General Manuel Noriega, who was wanted by U.S. authorities for racketeering and drug trafficking. The operation, codenamed Operation Just Cause, concluded in late January 1990 with the surrender of Noriega. The Panama Defense Forces (PDF) were dissolved, and President-elect Guillermo Endara was sworn into office.
1st Lt Robert Paz, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines
Elements of 1st Bn, 508th Infantry parachuting into a drop zone, during training, outside of Panama City.
A U.S. Army M113
American soldiers preparing to take La Comandancia in the El Chorrillo neighborhood of Panama City, December 1989
