How did Operation Just Cause affect Panama City in 1989?

Operation Just Cause significantly impacted Panama City in December 1989, as the city served as the primary focal point for the U.S. military invasion.12

The initial U.S. attack, launched in the early hours of December 20, targeted the headquarters of the Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega, which was located in the city. While U.S. forces quickly overcame most organized military resistance, the city experienced widespread instability in the immediate aftermath of the invasion. During the days following the initial combat, both Panamanian soldiers and civilians engaged in extensive looting of shops throughout Panama City.132

To restore order, an additional 2,000 U.S. troops were deployed to the area. The conflict resulted in significant casualties, with estimates indicating that hundreds of civilians and combatants were killed across the country during the operation.134