In defiance

"Juan Sosa's memoir is the behind-the-scenes story of the dramatic two-year struggle between Panama's dictator, General Manuel Noriega, and the country's official representative in the United States. Sosa was appointed ambassador to the United States by the constitutional president of Panama, Eric Delvalle, in October 1987. Soon thereafter Noriega consolidated control of the government, overthrew the president, and sought to place a loyal supporter in the important diplomatic post in Washington. In direct defiance of Noriega's illegitimate demand, Sosa continued to represent his country and to be recognized by the government of the United States." "Throughout his tenure, sosa was involved frequently with the White House, the State Department, key members of the U.S. Congress, and the media. At the same time, relations between the United States and the de facto government in Panama deteriorated steadily, propelled by Noriega's indictment in an American court on drug charges. As Sosa watched with alarm and frustration from Washington, Noriega nullified the presidential elections of May 1989 when he realized that his candidate had been soundly defeated, thus further deepening the crisis." "Sosa served as ambassador until August 1989 when Delvalle's term officially ended. He continued to be involved in the struggle against the dictatorship until Noriega was ousted by U.S. military forces in December and brought to Miami for trial." "Sosa concludes his account with thoughtful observations about the implications of this tumultuous saga for democracy in Panama, for her relations with the United States, and for the future of the Panama Canal, which passes to full Panamanian authority on December 31, 1999. Book jacket."--BOOK JACKET.