Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega has been in a US prison since 1989. He was convicted for cocaine trafficking, racketeering and money laundry after the US invaded Panama, arrested him and destroyed the Panamanian military.

But now he’s served his time and he’s set to be released September 9th. After that he may go to France to face charges of money laundering. In order to comtemplate the question of justice for Manuel Noriega,  you have to recall the whole saga of the man.

R.M. “Dick” Koster is a jouirnalist and writer who lives in Panama, he’s the co-author of “In the Time of Tyrants: Panama 1968-1990.“