9. Manuel Noriega: Panama’s Strongman
For years, the U.S. maintained a complicated relationship with Manuel Noriega, leveraging his intelligence services in exchange for continued support. Despite Noriega’s reputation for authoritarianism and his deep entanglement in drug trafficking, American interests in the region prevailed. Ultimately, the partnership unraveled, culminating in the U.S. invasion of Panama and Noriega’s removal in 1989. As CNN reports, this alliance underscores the risks of overlooking criminality for perceived strategic gain.
