Central America/Caribbean D+24 (2 August, 1987)

The Third World War reached its apogee on D+24. Yet as the hours went by and appeared to be pushing the world towards an imminent nuclear war, in Central America and the Caribbean, the mood and actions were guided by a fatalistic attitude on the part of national leaders and populations alike. In places such …

Central America/Caribbean D+21 (30 July, 1987) Part II

As the Third World War teetered on the brink of escalating to a global nuclear war on D+18, Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega remained indifferent to events going on in Europe and North America. Whereas the leaders of Cuba and Nicaragua saw the writing on the wall and attempted to reach accommodation with the US government, …

Central America/Caribbean D+21 (30 July, 1987) Part I

The use of nuclear weapons on D+18 almost set Central America and the Caribbean on the backburner for the US permanently. But the fear and uncertainty that came in the hours following the nuclear exchange ended up working to Washington’s benefit. The remaining appetites for further conflict in the region were extinguished, with one significant …

Central America/Caribbean D+17 (26 July, 1987)

Just after 0200 hours, Central Standard Time, US Air Force F-111s appeared in the skies over Managua. The fighter-bombers struck eight targets; The Foreign ministry and Ministry of the Interior buildings, as well as a restrike against the Defense Ministry headquarters. Sandinista party headquarters, and the residences of four high-ranking party officials were also on …

Central America/Caribbean D+15 (24 July, 1987)

0030- Violence breaks out again in Panama City as pro-Noriega crowds converge on the US embassy and US military installations across the Canal Zone. The Panamanian police and paramilitary units that had spent much of the previous afternoon fighting anti-Noriega protesters in the streets are now nowhere to be found. Automatic gunfire is heard around …

Central America/Caribbean D+14 (23 July, 1987

For the second morning in a row, American airpower was in action over Nicaragua. Bombs and rained down on military targets across the country. Battlegroup Romeo joined in as well, launching a limited number of TLAMs against government buildings in Managua. The airstrikes marked the first use of F-111s in Southern Command’s AOR. Eight of …

Central America/Caribbean D+11 thru D+13 (20-22 July, 1987)

D+11 (20 July, 1987) Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega condemns Cuban leader Fidel Castro during a 90 minute speech. He accuses Castro of ‘cowardice’ and ‘betraying the revolution.’ Ortega vows that Nicaragua will continue the fight against American imperialism, and promises to assist Manuel Noriega in evicting the Americans from Panama. A short time later additional …

Central America/Caribbean D+7-10 (16-19 July, 1987)

D+7 (16 July, 1987)   -US Navy personnel and civilian contract workers from the United States assume full duties at the Panama Canal. All Panamanian nationals, and other foreigners working there are furloughed for the ‘duration of the present emergency.’   -As more US troops arrive in Honduras, the number of clashes between Nicaraguan and …

Central America/Caribbean D+0-D+6 (9 July-15 July, 1987)

D+0 (9 July, 1987) Eastern Bloc merchant ships are banned from entering the Panama Canal. Further, no East Bloc vessels can enter Limon Bay on the Atlantic side of the canal, or the Gulf of Panama on the Pacific side. The restrictions were initially intended to be temporary, but after the mysterious sinking of a …