The U.S. Invasion of Panama: The Truth Behind Operational 'Just Cause' (Paperback)

by The Independent Commission of Inquiry on the U.S. Invasion of Panama (Author) "When this book reaches the public, it will be one year since the brutal and racist U.S. invasion of Panama..." (more)
Key Phrases: United States, Southern Command, Bush Administration (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
How just was operation "Just Cause," the December 20, 1989, U.S. invasion of Panama? Why was it necessary for the U.S. government to attack and destroy entire neighborhoods of the poorest Panamanians, killing and wounding thousands of innocent civilians? Why did the U.S. military lie about civilian casualties? Why did the U.S. arrest and imprison hundreds of nationalists? Why hasn't the U.S. mass media adequately brought these issues to the attention of the American public? These questions were asked in speeches made in April 1990 at a New York City rally by Panamanian eyewitnesses and victims of the invasion, speeches that comprise the second half of this disquieting volume. "Many who ran out trying to flee from the fire and the bombardment died in the streets, machine-gunned by U.S. troops," recalls Olga Mejia, president of the National Human Rights Commission of Panama, translated from the Spanish by the commission of inquiry. "Others were burned to death in their homes or killed as their homes were bombed. Dawn found many dead in the hallways of their buildings, buried under the rubble or dismembered and totally unrecognizable, either from the bombs and the flame-throwers, or because the bodies were charred or incinerated by the U.S. troops and thrown into plastic bags along with their identification and personal effects. Afterwards, the soldiers threw some of the bodies into the sea. Others were buried in common graves or right where they were found..." -- From Independent Publisher

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: South End Press (July 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0896084078
• ISBN-13: 978-0896084070
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #319,395 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Truth is The Truth, October 24, 2006

By	T. Curry (Atlanta, Georgia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Stationed on Howard AFB 1yr before, during and 1yr after Just Cause. This book is completely true. If you were not there and only came in for the invasion you have no idea what really went on leading up to the invasion, during the invasion, and after the invasion. There is a little thing called propoganda that the U.S. likes to use to display "Just Cause".

13 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars YES PEOPLE, the truth HURTS.. we live in an ugly world, August 30, 2005

By	A. Hart "senrei" (California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am sorry so many people were offended by the book, but the truth is the truth. My family lives in Panama- not on a military base- but as Panamanian nationals and they have witnessed these things first hand that the media doesn't cover. Of course the US media is not going to display it's military killing civilians- innocent poor people- they targeted the poorest areas. There are plenty of PANAMANIANS with missing limbs who can tell you all about it. Wake up!

11 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Revelation of motives in Panama, June 21, 2000

By A Customer

If you need a place to start when researching the United States invasion of Panama, the is a terriffic primary source.