The US invasion of Panama

Witness History

BBC

History, Personal Journals, Society & Culture

4.4 • 1.6K Ratings

🗓️ 5 March 2025

⏱️ 11 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In December 1989, more than 20,000 US soldiers descended on the tiny Central American country of Panama.

The Americans sought to remove the country’s leader, General Manuel Noriega, who sought refuge from the invading forces with the Papal Ambassador.

Noriega was a dictator and had been indicted in Florida over drug trafficking.

In 2010, Neal Razzell spoke to Enrique Jelenszky, who assisted communications between the US troops and Noriega.

Eye-witness accounts brought to life by archive. Witness History is for those fascinated by the past. We take you to the events that have shaped our world through the eyes of the people who were there. For nine minutes every day, we take you back in time and all over the world, to examine wars, coups, scientific discoveries, cultural moments and much more.

Recent episodes explore everything from football in Brazil, the history of the ‘Indian Titanic’ and the invention of air fryers, to Public Enemy’s Fight The Power, subway art and the political crisis in Georgia. We look at the lives of some of the most famous leaders, artists, scientists and personalities in history, including: visionary architect Antoni Gaudi and the design of the Sagrada Familia; Michael Jordan and his bespoke Nike trainers; Princess Diana at the Taj Mahal; and Görel Hanser, manager of legendary Swedish pop band Abba on the influence they’ve had on the music industry. You can learn all about fascinating and surprising stories, such as the time an Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes at the President of the United States in protest of America’s occupation of Iraq; the creation of the Hollywood commercial that changed advertising forever; and the ascent of the first Aboriginal MP.

(Photo: A US soldier raises the barbed wire barricade to stop demonstrators from marching towards the Vatican Embassy, where Noriega is seeking asylum/ Credit:REUTERS/Corinne Dufka)

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Hello, you're about to listen to a BBC podcast, so I'd like to tell you where you'll find more just like it.
0:05.6	I'm Izzy Lee Poulton, an assistant commissioner for BBC Sounds, which means I'm involved in the whole podcast making process.
0:12.2	Whether that's developing fresh formats or facilitating eye-catching artwork, I helped project manage all the details that make our podcast stand out.
0:19.7	At the BBC, we've got access to storytellers and experts across a huge range of subjects.
0:24.4	It could be psychologists, comedians, celebrities or journalists.
0:28.6	No podcasts or day looks the same here.
0:31.6	So no matter what you like, check out BBC Sounds.
0:34.1	There's probably another podcast on there that you're absolutely love.
0:43.0	Music sounds. There's probably another podcast on there that you're absolutely love. Hello and welcome to the Witness History podcast from the BBC World Service. In 1989,
0:49.2	US forces invaded the Central American state of Panama to depose the dictator General Manuel Noriega.
0:57.5	In 2010, Neil Riesel spoke to Panamanian law student Enrique Jolensky, who helped with negotiations
1:04.2	between Noriega and the Americans.
1:07.5	It's December 20th, 1989, five days before Christmas.
1:11.7	Enrique Zelensky, a 24-year-old law student, is home with his brother in Panama City.
1:17.8	We heard a noise, and we woke up, my twin brother, yell at me, the Americans are invade in Panama.
1:24.5	That was his very quick reaction as soon as the bombs walk us up in the middle of the
1:28.6	night. Last night, I ordered U.S. military forces to Panama. In Washington, President George
1:34.4	Bush was up as well, announcing the largest American military action since Vietnam.
1:39.6	Many attempts have been made to resolve this crisis through diplomacy and negotiations.
1:46.5	All were rejected by the dictator of Panama, General Manuel Noriega.
1:52.3	It's an awkward moment for President Bush.
1:55.0	General Noriega was a longtime ally of the United States.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from BBC, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of BBC and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.