Maduro's capture draws echoes of Noriega in 1990
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Manuel Noriega's mug shot after his capture by U.S. forces in 1990. Photo: Bettmann / Getty Images
Saturday's capture of Venezuela's Nicolás Maduro isn't the first time the U.S. entered a Latin American country by force to seize its leader on drugs charges.
Why it matters: What comes next is likely years of court battles over how Maduro is charged, how he's treated and where he's held.
Flashback: In December 1989, the U.S. invaded Panama, accusing dictator Manuel Noriega of drug trafficking and other crimes.
- Noriega surrendered in January 1990 to American forces, who brought him back to the U.S. for trial.
- As opposed to the lightning-fast seizure of Maduro, Noriega's capture took weeks, during which time he holed up in the Vatican's embassy. (U.S. troops notoriously blasted the embassy with loud rock music to annoy him into surrender.)
The intrigue: Once in the U.S., Noriega fought a yearslong court battle to be considered a prisoner of war, rather than a common criminal.
- Noriega ultimately won that fight and was declared a POW, rather than a regular inmate. That entitled him to certain privileges like wearing his uniform and being housed in less restrictive conditions.
- After 20 years in U.S. custody he was extradited to France, and later returned to Panama, where he died in 2017.
Between the lines: Trump administration officials for months have compared Maduro —also indicted for drug trafficking— to Noriega.
- The Panama invasion, like this military action, was not authorized by Congress.
- "This could be Noriega part 2," an official told Axios in August.
Where it stands: Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) posted to X early Saturday morning that he was told Maduro would be brought to the U.S. to stand criminal trial.
- But he offered no further details on when, where or how.
What to watch: It wasn't clear as of early Saturday where Maduro would be held, or tried.
- "They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts," Attorney General Pam Bondi said of Maduro and his wife.
- But the legal saga is all but certain to take years to play out.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with background throughout.
