Customer Reviews

In Defiance: The Battle Against General Noriega Fought from Panama's Embassy

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Ambassador Juan Sosa has in-depth knowledge of his country and is able to present it in an objective fair manner. He is a stickler for detail and a master of diplomacy in describing US-Panama relations and in analyzing the players' motives and inspirations which ultimately caused events culminating in the US military action, Just Cause. Juan Sosa is proud of his nation and of his role in preserving the integrity of the Embassy in Washington under enormous pressure. For those of us Americans who lived in this amazing little country, "In Defiance" makes the intricacies of very complex issues most understandable. I think even General Noriega might approve.

I found In Defiance to be a highly informative and at times exciting and inspiring book. Considering that I knew how the story ended before I began reading, the fact that I found it difficult to put it down is the mark of a good story teller. Even though I followed the Noriega crisis rather closely in the press as it unfolded ten years ago, the book provided many fascinating details that were told from an "insider" point of view. The close relationship between the Panamanian Embassy and the State Department was particularly interesting. Author Juan Sosa also intersperses the narration of the story with interesting information about Latin American politics (comments on the Organization of American States were especially interesting). I found this book to be of interest not only as an historical account, but also because of its relevance to U.S. foreign relations today -- for example, the ongoing debate about the U.S. obligation/right to intervene in the affairs of sovereign nations.

Ambassador Juan Sosa's IN DEFIANCE depicts the process and the strategy to restore democracy to his native Panama, and his personal battle even from his office in Washington, against one of the last military dictatorships that characterized Latin American governments for many decades. As a Colombian, I am compelled to hold a special view of the history of the construction of the Canal that eventually led to Panama's separation (we don't call it independence) from Colombia. Also, as a former 0AS staff member, I cannot but agree with the author's frustration in his dealings with the Organization especially in that particular period when its Secretary General, Baena Soares, Brazilian former minister of foreign relations, was himself a product of the military regime of Brazil. Ambassador's Sosa's endurance in his quest form Panama's sovereignty is clearly shown in his book written in such a manner that it holds the reader's attention from cover to cover.

Noriega was one of the most controversial figures in Latin America. Sosa fought against Noriega and worked with the United States to bring him down. After being forced out of the embassy by Noriega Sosa would be one of the key figures to brining about his downfall. If you want an insiders look from someone who was involved this is a great start. If you are only learning about Noriega for the first time it can be a little daunting since this book does assume some knowledge of the affair. Overall though this book is worth your time to read.

Even if he is at time too pro american, Juan Sosa is a captivating writer. Although I would have loved to know more about the aftermath and still wonder why so many Panamanians died that famous day and so few americans.