What were the impacts of the US intervention in Panama in the 1980s?

The U.S. intervention in Panama in the 1980s had significant impacts on both Panama and the United States. The U.S. military invaded Panama in 1989 in an effort to capture the country's leader, General Manuel Noriega, who had been indicted on drug trafficking charges. The invasion was quick and decisive, with Noriega eventually surrendering to U.S. forces.

The impacts of the invasion were numerous. In Panama, the invasion led to the deaths of an estimated 500-1,000 Panamanian civilians and military personnel. The invasion also damaged or destroyed much of Panama City's infrastructure, including homes, businesses, and the city's water and electrical systems. The U.S. intervention also caused significant damage to Panama's economy, which was heavily dependent on the Canal Zone and the U.S. military presence in the country.

In the United States, the intervention was seen as a success in achieving its military objectives, but also raised concerns about the use of military force to achieve political ends. The intervention was controversial, with some criticizing the U.S. for violating Panama's sovereignty and using excessive force in the invasion. The U.S. intervention in Panama also strained relations between the U.S. and other Latin American countries, who saw the invasion as an example of U.S. imperialism in the region.