Manuel Noriega dies at 83

A source close to the family of Manuel Noriega says that the former Panamanian dictator died late Monday, May 29th at the age of 83. Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela tweeted that “the death of Manuel A. Noriega closes a chapter in our history.”

Varela added, “His daughters and his relatives deserve to mourn in peace.”

In recent years Noriega has suffered various ailments including high blood pressure and bronchitis. In 2016, his doctors detected the rapid growth of a benign brain tumor and in January a court granted him house arrest to prepare for surgery. Following the surgery Noriega’s health continued to decline.

Noriega is survived by his wife, Felicidad Sieiro and three daughters Sandra, Thays and Lorena.