Spadafora family lead anti Noriega protests

A group of civilistas led by the Spadafora family, gathered in Union Park in Chitre Herrera on Monday December 12 demanding that former dictator Manuel Antonio Noriega remains in prison. 

Dr Hugo Spadafora, an anti dictatorship activist was murdered and his head cut off during the Noriega regime.

With placards in hand and dressed in white, thes chitreanos stood in Union Park to draw the attention of the Government. 

Estela Mejia Spadafora said the return of Noriega was an disgrace and an insult to the  for  families of the victims of the dictatorship.

Spadafora said the Panamanian people will stand up if Noriega is give house arrest, since the only thing he deserves is a life sentence.  Basque del Mar Huerta said Noriega's arrival was a reminder of the dark times when many Panamanians suffered  the humiliation of the dictatorship. 

"What we want is that this story will never be repeated, so that our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will never live to see  such episodes,". The protesters said they will reactivate the Civil Crusade if Noriega  gets rid of the charges against him in Panama.

Noriega's retrun to Panama on Sunday was shrouded in make believe, as journalists and TV crews waited for his arrival at the Renacer prison. A man with his head covered was brought to the prison in a convoy from a helicopter. It was later revealed that he was in fact transported by car from Tocumen. The other man was a decoy. Pictures of him inside the prison were taken by government photographers.

Noriega is also said to have declined  a media apperance as he did not want to be part of a circus.