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The Political Scene | The New Yorker

Jon Lee Anderson Visits Manuel Noriega in Prison

The Political Scene | The New Yorker

The New Yorker

Politics, Washington, News, Obama, Wnyc, President, Lizza, Barack, Wickenden

4.33.9K Ratings

🗓️ 19 June 2017

⏱️ 19 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

When Manuel Noriega died, last month, the Panamanian strongman had been in prison and out of the public eye  for a quarter century. A U.S. ally with C.I.A. ties, Noriega came to rule his country brutally, collaborated with the Medellín drug cartel, and eventually opposed the United States—symbolically waving a machete against America during rallies. The U.S. finally invaded Panama in 1989, and deposed him. In 2015, Noriega, incarcerated for decades on drug trafficking and other charges, granted a rare interview to Jon Lee Anderson. The former dictator admitted mistakes but apologized for nothing, and claimed that he had no bitterness toward his patrons turned conquerors. 

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I'm Dorothy Wickend. On today's Politics and More podcast, I talk with the New Yorker's

1:17.6

John Lee Anderson about former Panamanian president, Manuel Noriega. In 2015, Anderson had a rare

1:24.6

opportunity to interview Noriega, who was deposed by a U.S. invasion in 1989.

1:32.3

Panama's former dictator, the CIA spy and convicted cocaine trafficker,

1:37.3

Manuel Noriega, has died.

1:39.3

When the news reports hit at the end of May that Manuel Noriega had died,

1:43.3

you could be forgiven a little if your first that Manuel Noriega had died, you could be forgiven

1:44.6

a little if your first thought was, Noriega is still alive?

1:49.1

Panama's former strongman has been out of the public eye for a quarter century since

1:53.0

his conviction on drug trafficking and other charges.

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