Today in Manhunting History -- May 13, 1989: Bush Urges PDF Coup

While aboard Air Force One (en route to speak at Mississippi State's commencement ceremony) three days after the violent suppression of protests in Panama City, President George W. Bush summoned the reporters traveling with him to his cabin.  In extemporaneous remarks, he said he had no quarrel with the PDF, just with Noriega and his "thuggery."

"The will of the people should not be thwarted by this man," Bush said.  When a reporter asked what Panamanians should do, the President replied: "They ought to just do everything they can to get Mr. Noriega out of there."  The remarks were widely interpreted as official American encouragement of a coup.

It would take nearly four months before the President's wish came to fruition, and even then only with tragicomic results.