NATION : U.S. Completes Withdrawal of Invading Forces From Panama
The United States has completed withdrawal of its military force that invaded Panama on Dec. 20, the White House said today.
The U.S. troop strength in Panama is at 13,504, below the 13,597 stationed in the Central American nation before the invasion, presidential press secretary Marlin Fitzwater said.
More than 14,000 troops had been rushed from bases in the United States for the invasion.
While the troop levels have fluctuated by a few thousand over recent years, the 13,000 level is considered in the normal range, he said. That includes, however, the 2,000 extra personnel President Bush sent to Panama following an election last May 7 that was invalidated by now-deposed Gen. Manuel A. Noriega.
The Panama invasion resulted in the combat deaths of 23 U.S. soldiers and the wounding of 324, with 314 Panamanian troops killed and 124 wounded, according to Pentagon figures. In addition, 202 civilians were killed in the fighting.
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