How to Pronounce Manuel Noriega

Meaning and Context

Manuel Antonio Noriega Moreno was a Panamanian military officer and de facto ruler of Panama from 1983 to 1989, whose regime became a pivotal and controversial chapter in Central American history and U.S.-Latin American relations. Initially a key intelligence asset for the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Noriega's rule was characterized by authoritarian control, involvement in international drug trafficking, and money laundering, which ultimately led to his designation as a narcotrafficker by U.S. authorities. The escalating tensions culminated in the United States invasion of Panama, codenamed Operation Just Cause, in December 1989, which ousted Noriega from power. He was captured, taken to the United States, and convicted in 1992 on charges of racketeering, drug smuggling, and money laundering, serving a prison sentence until his extradition to France and later repatriation to Panama, where he died in 2017. His complex legacy intertwines Cold War geopolitics, the War on Drugs, and the often-blurred lines between U.S. foreign policy interests and the support of authoritarian regimes.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and correct spelling is Manuel Noriega. Common misspellings and typographical errors often arise from phonetic misinterpretations or keyboard slips. Frequent variants include "Manuel Noreiga" (incorrectly adding an 'e'), "Manuel Noriga" (dropping the 'e'), and "Manuel Noriega" (a common misspelling of the 'ie' diphthong). Some may mistakenly write "Manual Noriega," substituting his first name with the English word. His full name, Manuel Antonio Noriega Moreno, is less commonly referenced and may also be subject to similar errors, particularly with the last name "Moreno." In historical documents and searches, it is important to use the correct spelling to distinguish him from other figures and to ensure accurate retrieval of information about the Panama Canal, the 1989 invasion, and his criminal trials.

Example Sentences

Following years of cooperation with U.

S.

intelligence agencies during the Cold War, Manuel Noriega's regime became increasingly antagonistic, leading President George H.

W.

Bush to order the military intervention in Panama.

Historians often cite the arrest of Manuel Noriega as a significant, if controversial, moment in the application of U.

S.

extraterritorial law enforcement.

Despite his convictions for drug trafficking, some analysts view Manuel Noriega as a product of a geopolitical era where the United States frequently prioritized anti-communism over democratic principles.

The dramatic standoff ended when Manuel Noriega, after seeking sanctuary in the Vatican's diplomatic mission, surrendered to U.

S.

forces in January 1990.

His legacy remains a subject of debate in Panama, symbolizing both a dark period of dictatorship and a complex relationship with American foreign policy.

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