Nicolás Maduro’s capture compared to 1989 Manuel Noriega operation

The US capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife on Saturday revives memories of the dramatic fall of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega in 1989, which coincidentally took place 36 years ago to the day of Maduro’s capture on January 3.

Under former President George HW Bush, US forces launched a surprise invasion of Panama in the early hours of December 20, 1989, accusing Noriega of conspiring with drug traffickers to funnel cocaine to America.

He was also accused of manipulating the 1989 presidential election.

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“The goal was to restore the democratically elected government of Guillermo Endara and arrest Noriega for drug trafficking,” the US military website says. “At the time, Operation Just Cause was the largest and most complex combat operation since the Vietnam War.”

Like Saturday’s operation involving Maduro, the invasion of Panama took place without explicit authorization from Congress, according to Axios.

Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega during a ceremony commemorating the death of national hero Omar Torrijos, in Panama. (Bill Gentile/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)

Noriega’s capture, however, took place over several weeks as he evaded arrest by taking refuge inside the Vatican embassy in Panama.

American troops used psychological warfare to force Noriega out of hiding.

In a tactic known as Operation Nifty Package, military vehicles equipped with speakers streamed rock music with a playlist that included songs by The Clash, Van Halen and U2, BBC News reported.

Noriega surrendered to U.S. forces on January 3, 1990, 36 years to the day before the U.S. captured Maduro, and was flown to America to stand trial, Axios reported.

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Former Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega is pictured in this January 4, 1990 file photo. (Reuters/HOJDP)

The operation resulted in the death of 23 American soldiers and injured 320 others. The Pentagon estimated that about 200 Panamanian civilians and 314 Panamanian military personnel were killed, according to the Associated Press.

In 1992, Noriega was convicted of drug trafficking in a Miami federal court and sentenced to 40 years in prison.

He was granted prisoner of war status, housed in a bungalow separate from other detainees and allowed to wear his Panamanian military uniform and insignia in court, the AP reported.

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Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro addresses supporters during a rally marking the anniversary of the 19th century Battle of Santa Ines in Caracas, Venezuela, December 10. (Pedro Rances Mattey/Anadolu via Getty Images)

After serving 17 years in an American prison, he was extradited to France and then to Panama. He died in 2017.

President Donald Trump announced Saturday that Maduro and his wife had been captured and expelled from the country as part of Operation Absolute Resolve.

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In recent months, the US military has carried out a series of strikes against drug ships suspected of being close to the Venezuelan regime in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific.

Until a permanent leader can be found, the U.S. government will “run” Venezuela, Trump said, “until we can make a safe, appropriate and wise transition.”