Image Credit-Britannica As reports and speculation circulate about Venezuela and its embattled president, a familiar name from U.S. history has surged back into search trends: Manuel Noriega . For many Americans — particularly those who remember the Cold War era — the question being asked is blunt: Is this Panama 2.0? While Venezuela in 2026 is not Panama in 1989, historians and analysts note that the comparison resonates because of several striking parallels between Nicolás Maduro and Manuel Noriega , the former Panamanian strongman captured by U.S. forces more than three decades ago. A Brief Reminder: What Happened in Panama in 1989? Image Credit- Wikipedia In December 1989, the United States launched Operation Just Cause , sending troops into Panama to remove Noriega from power. Noriega, once a U.S. intelligence asset, had become a liability: Accused of drug trafficking Charged by U.S. courts Increasingly hostile to American interests He was eventually capture...