The United States invaded Panama. With 26,000 soldiers and marines, dictator Noriega was arrested, taken to Miami, tried and sentenced to 40 years in prison in the largest operation after Vietnam. So they silenced the awkward witness, who had been saying publicly that he would “speak.” At least 4,000 civilians died in the operation; Red Cross spoke of “massacre.” The United States put Guillermo Endara as president.