ABSTRACT
The “liberation of Panama” would have a dubious connotation for both Panamanians and Americans. The United States (US) military intervention in Panama ensured a significant US role in Panama for the foreseeable future. In the short to medium term, US efforts will be concentrated on supporting the new government of Guillermo Endara in its five-year term of office through 1994. The new Panamanian government is going to face many challenges in overcoming the legacy of Noriega’s rule. US Support for Democracy. Immediately after the intervention, US support for the new government was provided in part by civil affairs units of the US military. A formidable task for the new government will be revitalizing the ailing Panamanian economy. Some observers believe that the United States has a special responsibility to help rebuild Panama’s economy because of the importance of the canal to the United States.
