Administration Declares Noriega a Cuban Agent

The Bush Administration on Friday designated Panamanian strongman Gen. Manuel A. Noriega an agent of Cuba, a declaration that could result in fines and jail terms for American companies that do business with him.

Noriega, his wife, Felicidad Sieiro de Noriega, and 32 companies, including several hotels and airport duty-free shops, are being added to the list of 134 firms and individuals already identified as Cuban agents in Panama, the Treasury Department announced.

Fourteen names, including Noriega associate Carlos Duque, were added to the list on Sept. 20.

Under a World War I statute, the United States has banned trade by Americans with Cuba since 1960. Under the Cuban Assets Control Regulations, any person under the jurisdiction of the United States is barred from engaging in transactions with Cuba or its agents unless it obtains a license from the Treasury Department.

Violations of the embargo or similar bans against trade with Cambodia, North Korea and Vietnam can result in fines up to $500,000 against U.S. corporations and up to $250,000 against individuals, who can also be imprisoned for up to 12 years.

“This action is another step in the United States’ efforts to halt the channeling of funds to the illegal regime of Gen. Noriega and to neutralize Cuban commercial activities in Panama that serve to circumvent the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba,” the announcement said.

“This action serves to underscore the Administration’s resolve to undermine the extensive network of commercial and financial collusion between the Noriega and Castro regimes.”

The move by the United States is narrowly targeted at Noriega and his business partners and, therefore, is not expected to do major damage to Panama’s economy.

It is not clear how extensive American business dealings are with the firms linked to Noriega.

Cuba, however, has found these firms useful, importing through them high technology U.S.-made items that otherwise would be beyond Havana’s reach because of the trade embargo, U.S. officials said.

The firms also have served as conduits for illegal Cuban exports to the United States.

U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity last week, had revealed that the designation was imminent.

The officials said they had begun examining ways to bring new pressure to bear on Noriega even before an abortive coup attempt on Oct. 3. The failed coup attempt brought widespread charges of mishandling by the Bush Administration.