On the 35th anniversary of the US invasion of Panama, Latino Media Collective Host Oscar Fernandez spends an hour with freelance producer Michael Fox and Politics Done Right host Egberto Willies to discuss the importance of the invasion today in Panama and US foreign policy.
Panama Invasion’s 35th Anniversary
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Summary:
The Latino Media Collective, hosted by Oscar Fernandez, commemorates the 35th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Panama with a deep dive into its historical, political, and human toll. Guests Michael Fox and Egberto Willies discuss the invasion’s devastating impact on Panama, its imperial motivations, and its enduring relevance in U.S. foreign policy.
- Historical Context: The U.S. invasion was justified under the pretext of democracy promotion and combating drug trafficking but was fundamentally a show of post-Cold War military dominance.
- Humanitarian Devastation: Civilian casualties ranged from 1,000 to 4,000, with neighborhoods like El Chorrillo destroyed and over 20,000 homes leveled.
- Economic Strangulation: Before the invasion, the U.S. froze dollar circulation in Panama, crippling the economy and deepening civilian suffering.
- Imperial Dehumanization: U.S. troops displayed a disregard for Panamanian lives, evidenced by language barriers, cultural insensitivity, and callous behavior during the operation.
- Enduring Lessons: The invasion reflects a broader pattern of U.S. imperialism, with striking parallels to modern conflicts like Gaza, emphasizing the need to assess U.S. foreign policy critically.
The U.S. invasion of Panama epitomizes the destructive consequences of militarized imperialism cloaked in the rhetoric of democracy. It underscores the urgency of holding power accountable and prioritizing human dignity over geopolitical ambitions. By revisiting these events, progressive voices like those on Latino Media Collective challenge us to confront our history and advocate for a more just and equitable foreign policy.
The 35th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Panama marks a solemn occasion to reflect on the human, political, and historical ramifications of one of the most controversial military operations in modern American history. Oscar Fernandez, host of the Latino Media Collective, brings this dark chapter to the forefront, providing a platform for voices like Michael Fox and Egberto Willies to dissect the invasion’s broader implications. Their commentary reveals a stark pattern of U.S. imperialism under the guise of democracy promotion, which remains relevant today.
The Official Justification: A Veneer of Democracy and Security
The invasion of Panama on December 20, 1989, was justified by then-President George H.W. Bush as a necessary action to safeguard American lives, uphold democracy, combat drug trafficking, and protect the Panama Canal Treaty. These claims echoed in Bush’s public address and provided the veneer of legitimacy for what was, in essence, a raw exercise of power. Michael Fox aptly describes the operation as a “testing ground” for post-Cold War U.S. military interventions, setting the stage for later campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.
This narrative was parroted by the mainstream media, which portrayed the invasion as a resounding success. However, as Fox’s Under the Shadow series highlights, the actual story was one of immense human suffering, blatant violations of international law, and long-lasting trauma for the Panamanian people.
The Human Toll: A Forgotten Atrocity
Egberto Willies, an Afro-Panamanian and host of Politics Done Right, vividly recounts Panama’s chaos and destruction during the invasion. Entire neighborhoods, particularly those populated by Afro-Panamanians and the working class, were obliterated. Areas like El Chorrillo, described by Willies as resembling Gaza today, bore the brunt of U.S. military aggression. Civilian casualties remain a point of contention, with estimates ranging from 1,000 (according to U.S. sources) to as many as 4,000 (per U.N. reports). Willies and Fox agree that the real number is likely much higher, given the densely populated nature of affected areas.
The human suffering extended beyond immediate casualties. Willies recounts stories of economic strangulation, such as the U.S. freezing the flow of dollars into Panamanian banks, crippling commerce and livelihoods. Families resorted to bartering and IOUs to survive. This economic warfare, coupled with the physical devastation, laid bare the callous disregard for the lives and well-being of ordinary Panamanians.
Imperial Hubris: The Language Barrier and Dehumanization
One of the most striking aspects of the invasion, as noted by Fox, was the U.S. military’s lack of preparation, including their inability to communicate with the local population. Soldiers, unable to speak basic Spanish, shouted commands in English, adding to the chaos and confusion. This linguistic barrier exemplified the dehumanization inherent in the operation—Panamanians were not treated as individuals with rights and dignity but as obstacles to be removed.
Fox’s Under the Shadow series captures chilling footage of U.S. soldiers laughing and joking as they surveyed the destruction they wrought. This callous attitude is not unique to Panama; similar behavior has been documented in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other theaters of U.S. military intervention. It underscores a systemic culture within the U.S. armed forces that devalues the humanity of those deemed “other.”
Lessons Unlearned: The Legacy of the Panama Invasion
The invasion of Panama serves as a stark reminder of the perils of unchecked military power and the enduring consequences of imperial hubris. Yet, as Fernandez, Fox, and Willies emphasize, the lessons of this atrocity remain largely unheeded. The parallels between Panama and contemporary conflicts, such as Gaza, are striking. Both reveal a pattern of disproportionate force, civilian suffering, and the use of “democracy” as a pretext for geopolitical objectives.
Willies draws a poignant parallel between the economic strangulation of Panama and the blockade of Gaza, noting how such tactics exacerbate human suffering while undermining any claims to moral high ground. Similarly, Fox highlights the enduring use of media propaganda to sanitize these operations and obscure their true costs.
Moving Forward: Confronting the Past
As Fernandez and his guests demonstrate, the 35th anniversary of the Panama invasion is not merely a historical milestone but an urgent call to reevaluate U.S. foreign policy. The invasion was not an isolated event but part of a broader strategy of dominance that continues to shape the global order. Reckoning with this history requires more than acknowledgment—it demands accountability and a commitment to dismantling the structures of imperialism.
By amplifying voices like those of Fox and Willies, Latino Media Collective provides a vital platform for truth-telling and critical reflection. In doing so, it challenges the American public to confront the uncomfortable realities of their government’s actions and to demand a foreign policy rooted in justice and respect for human dignity. Only then can the lessons of Panama be truly learned, and the cycle of imperial violence be broken.
The documentary The Panama Deception is the most complete encapsulation of the United States invasion of Panama. It includes the atrocities and crimes against humanity that cannot be denied. Yet, to date, they are left ignored.
