Drug War imperialism in Panama

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SouthComm Gone, New ‘SOA’ on the Way?
Weekly News Update on the Americas, 11 January 1998. The transfer of authority over the Quarry Heights military installations west of the capital, where the US Southern Command was headquartered for nearly fifty years until its recent move to Miami. Until the end of 1999, the US will keep operating seven bases in Panama with some 4,000 soldiers. The agreements for the CMA surveillance and training base will allow US troops to remain in Panama beyond 1999.
Panamanians march for sovereignty
Weekly News Update on the Americas, 11 January 1998. March on January 9 in Panama City to commemorate the 34th anniversary of the so-called ‘Flag Riots’ and to protest US-led plans to build a Multilateral Anti-Drug Center (CMA) in Panama.
Plans for ‘Multilateral’ Anti-Drug Center on Hold
Weekly News Update on the Americas, 5 July 1998. After more than a year of negotiations, Panama and the US seem to have backed away from plans to establish the so-called Multilateral Anti-drug Center (CMA) on the grounds of US military bases slated for closing by December 31, 1999. US officials are now said to be seeking support from other countries for alternatives to a Panama-based anti-drug center.
Panama Campaign against US ‘Drug’ Base
Workers World, 24 July 1998. A coalition of popular organizations is organizing against the government of President Ernesto Perez Balladeres with the goal of shutting down US bases in Panama. Perez has been involved in negotiating with the Pentagon over a ‘Multilateral Anti-drug Center,’ which would allow US troops to remain in Panama after the year 2000. Under the terms of the 1977 Torrijos-Carter treaty, the U.S. must turn over the Panama Canal and all military bases to Panamanian sovereignty and withdraw its 4,000 troops from the country by the year 2000.