The Panama Deception is a controversial documentary film that won the 1992 Academy Award for Documentary Feature. The film is critical of the actions of the US military during the 1989 invasion of Panama by the United States, covering the conflicting reasons for the invasion and the depicting of the US media as biased. It was directed by Barbara Trent of the Empowerment Project and was narrated by actress Elizabeth Montgomery. One of the many allegations made by the film is that the United States tested some form of laser or energy weapon during the invasion. The film also includes footage of mass graves uncovered after the US troops had withdrawn, and depicts some of the 20,000 refugees who fled the invasion.
View the Panama deception. Video hosted on Google. On the picture: Night view of Avenida Balboa and Punta Paitilla, Central Panama City. Falling under the radar of tourist crowds, Panama's divine natural gifts shine.
While Panama is known mostly for its famous canal, the country's natural attractions offer an irresistible lure to far-sighted travelers. This oft-overlooked country offers some of the finest birding, snorkeling and hiking in the Americas. Panama's charms include its stunning coastline of palm-fringed beaches, its astounding wildlife - boasting an incredible diversity of tropical birds - and its proud, vibrant indigenous peoples, such as the Kuna. While in Panama, you'll find it hard to shake the inescapable feeling that you're in on a secret the rest of the traveling world has yet to discover. The best time to visit Panama really depends on what you plan to do. If you intend to spend most of your time on the Pacific side, try December or January, when there's generally little rain and the weather is pleasant. If you're doing any serious hiking, this is also the most comfortable time to do it; the Darién Gap can be crossed only at this time. Bear in mind, however, that hotel prices and airfares are generally higher in the dry season (mid-December to mid-April). For planning purposes, be aware that Panama's mountains can get very cold at night; be sure to bring warm clothing. Some of Panama's colorful festivals draw large crowds. If you like to party, try to be in Panama City or Las Tablas for Carnaval, held each year on the weekend before Ash Wednesday. Hotel reservations during Carnaval are a must and should be made well in advance.
Bandits, smugglers, Colombian guerrillas and paramilitary forces make the area of Darién Province between Yaviza and the Colombian border along the upper Tuira River unsafe. However, the vast majority of Darién National Park is relatively safe - travel with a guide is recommended. There have been reports of armed criminals targeting travelers at Madden Dam in Chagre National Park.
 Noriega Noriega increased the size and power of the military, giving it control over much of Panama's government and economy. Under his rule, political repression and corruption became widespread. Noriega was accused of ordering the 1985 murder of a prominent critic of the military, Hugo Spadafora, but when Panamanian president Nicolás Ardito Barletta tried to investigate, Noriega removed Ardito Barletta from office.
In 1986 allegations emerged that Noriega was involved in drug trafficking, money laundering, and acting as a double agent for both the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Cuba's intelligence agency. Panamanians staged protests demanding Noriega's resignation, and he responded by cracking down on civil liberties in 1987. The U.S. Senate urged the government of Panama to remove Noriega from office and investigate his activities, and the United States suspended aid to Panama. In 1988 a U.S. grand jury in Florida indicted Noriega on charges of violating racketeering and drug laws and money laundering. The United States put greater economic and diplomatic pressure on Panama to force Noriega from power, while protests and violence within Panama increased. In December 1989 U.S. forces invaded Panama and arrested Noriega, who was taken to Florida to stand trial.
The trial began in 1991, with Noriega's attorneys arguing that much of his wealth came not from illegal activities but from the CIA, for which Noriega had long been an informant. In April 1992 Noriega was found guilty of cocaine trafficking, racketeering, and money laundering, marking the first time in history that a U.S. jury had convicted a foreign head of state of criminal charges. He was sentenced to a total of 30 years in prison. Denied parole at his most recent hearing in 2004, Noriega is due for mandatory release in 2007. Noriega was also convicted in absentia by Panamanian courts of ordering the murder of Spadafora and also that of an army officer. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison for each crime.
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