What Happened
The Guardian reports a recent US military buildup off the coast of Venezuela has rekindled comparisons with the 1989 US operation in Panama. Some observers cited by the paper view the anti-Noriega action as a historical model for forcing out an authoritarian leader, while others say a campaign of bluff and intimidation is the more likely option in the current confrontation over Venezuela.
Panama 1989: A Moment That Still Resonates
The Guardian piece includes a vivid first-hand recollection from Michael Durant, a retired US army pilot, of the opening of the December 1989 assault on a Panamanian airbase. Durant describes watching through night-vision goggles as “two 2,000-pound laser-guided bombs slammed on to the Panamanian airbase” while he hovered offshore in a Black Hawk helicopter. He recalled the scene as “A gigantic flash, followed by a boom … [like] the largest lightning strike you’ve ever seen in your life.”
Those images and memories of the Battle of Rio Hato Airfield remain part of the way commentators frame US military options in the region, according to the reporting.
Why the Reference Matters
Invoking the 1989 Panama operation carries weight because it was a direct US intervention on Panamanian soil and has become a touchstone for debates over the use of force in the Americas. The Guardian reporting suggests that the historical precedent is informing contemporary discussion about possible US actions toward Venezuela.
For Panama, references to the 1989 intervention are a reminder of a traumatic episode in the country’s recent history. Even when the current situation concerns other states, such historical analogies shape public and diplomatic perceptions across the region.
What This Means Going Forward
Analysts quoted by The Guardian diverge on whether the United States is likely to attempt a repeat of a direct-action model or will rely more on posturing and pressure. Whatever course policymakers choose, the comparison to Panama in 1989 underscores how past interventions continue to influence regional debates about sovereignty, military force, and political change.
As coverage continues, Panamanian observers and officials will likely watch how commentators and policymakers use the 1989 example when discussing interventionist options elsewhere in the hemisphere.