Manuel Noriega was a General who ruled Panama from 1983 to 1989. In late 1989, the United States invaded Panama and deposed Noriega.

Noriega was sentenced to prison in United States in 1992 for drug trafficking and money laundering. His prison sentence ended in 2007; however; he remains in prison since it is not clear to which country he should be sent. The confusion is a result over different interpretations of the Geneva Conventions of international law.CNN: Courts try to decide what to do with Manuel Noriega (January 14, 2009)

1. Born: February 11, 1934
2. Birthplace: Panama City, Panama
3. Education: Military School of Chorrillos, Lima, Peru
4. Residence: Federal Correction Institution, Miami, Florida
5. Assumed office: August, 1983
6. Left office: January 3, 1990
7. Formerly employed by CIA
8. Sentenced to prison in U.S. for money laundering and drug trafficking in 1992
9. Sentence ended in 2007
10. Noriega remains in prison
11. The decision over where to send Noriega has become a legal dispute over how to interpret the Geneva ConventionsCNN: Courts try to decide what to do with Manuel Noriega (January 14, 2009)

A native of Panama, Noriega received intelligence and counterintelligence training in the United States and was on the payroll of the Central Intelligence Agency since the early 1970s. In the 1980s, Noriega consolidated his power, promoting himself to full general in 1983. He was a close ally of the United States, pledging to help the Reagan administration in their efforts to destabilize the Sandinista government in Nicaragua.

After the Iran-Contra Affair, Noriega became more of a liability than an asset. In 1988, the DEA indicted Noriega on charge of drug trafficking. The next year, Noriega voided national elections. Following the shooting death of a U.S. Marine in Panama City, President George H. W. Bush authorized a military invasion of the Caribbean nation with the aim of deposing the dictator. After a standoff, Noriega surrendered to U.S. forces on January 3, 1990.

In April, 1992, Noriega was extradited to Florida, where he was imprisoned, put on trial for drug trafficking, convicted, and sentenced to 40 years in prison. His sentence was later reduced to 30 years, and further reduced to 17 years.

Noriega's sentence ended in 2007; however, he has not been released since it is not clear which country he should be sent to. Noriega wants to return to Nicaragua, and his lawyer says the Geneva Conventions requires him to be returned to the country. U.S. wants to send Noriega to France, since its government wants to put him on trial for money laundering. The decision on where to send Noriega is being determined in court.CNN: Courts try to decide what to do with Manuel Noriega (January 14, 2009)