Street Battles, Noriega’s Capture, and the Political Aftermath
About This Footage
This unedited 1989 footage of the U.S. invasion of Panama, known as Operation Just Cause, documents one of the most significant U.S. military interventions of the late Cold War. The film begins with President George H.W. Bush announcing the operation, followed by powerful images of the burning Commandancia, intense street battles in Panama City, and civilians fleeing under fire. Scenes show devastated neighborhoods, abandoned vehicles, and refugees struggling in the aftermath of combat. Key moments include the swearing-in of Guillermo Endara as Panama’s new president and the capture of General Manuel Noriega, seen in U.S. custody aboard a C-130 aircraft. Additional footage highlights American soldiers securing strategic sites, seizing assets, and conducting searches around Fort Clayton and the Panama Canal Zone. A rare and raw historical record, this film offers unparalleled insight into the events that toppled Noriega and reshaped U.S.–Latin American relations.