U.S. Navy Seals, Panama 1989

The diorama was presented at the 11th International Festival of Plastic Reduction Models Bytom 2014.

The American military intervention took place in Panama in 1989. The main reason for the invasion was Panama's demand to cede control of the Panama Canal immediately.

Here are a few words of explanation, where the US control of the Channel came from.

Until 1903, the isthmus on which the Panama Canal was later built belonged to Colombia. In 1903, the independence uprising broke out and the Republic of Panama was established. The US government concluded an agreement with the new authorities, under which, in return for a security guarantee (especially in view of the threat from Colombia), it received a perpetual lease of a 10-mile wide strip of land and the possibility of building military bases. Already in 1904, construction of the Panama Canal was begun on the leased isthmus.

It was concluded a treaty provided for the transfer of control of the Canal to the Republic of Panama in 1999. In 1989, Panama's then dictator, Manuel Noriega, demanded that the US immediately cede control of the Canal. It was led to an armed intervention. The invasion began on the night of December 20, 1989 and lasted three days. The last resistance points were defeated in the evening of December 22. The new president was already sworn in on the first day of the invasion. Manuel Noriega was arrested 12 days later and extradited to the US.

In total, about 27,000 soldiers and over 300 aircraft took part in the operation. Losses on the American side amounted to 24 killed and 325 wounded.

The military operation in Panama was an opportunity to use the AH-64 Apache helicopters on the battlefield for the first time.

Sources:

• https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inwazja_Stan%C3%B3w_Zjednoczonych_na_Panam%C4%99
• https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama

7 Apr 2014