Ex-Dictator Noriega has brain tumor lawyer

FORMER PANAMANIAN dictator Manuel Noriega, who has been behind bars in the US, France and Panama since the  American  invasion of Panama in 1989   is in Santo Tomas Hospital suffering from a brain tumor  according to his lawyer.

Noriega currently serving a 20-year jail sentence in El Renacer prison was hospitalized on Wednesday, May 11 for what authorities say was a routine check-up

He will undergo several routine exams,” Angel Calderon, head of Panama’s jail system told Reuters, adding that Noriega suffered a bout of flu last week.

But the former strongman’s lawyers say  Noriega’s health has deteriorated due to poor treatment in jail for flu and fever, and he has brain tumor recently detected by his doctors.

“His health is getting worse, but our request to keep him in hospital has been delayed,” lawyer Julio Berrios said.

The 82 -year-old Noriega, once Panama’s drug-running military ruler on the pay role of the CIA, is serving a two-decade sentence in Panama  for crimes committed during his 1983-1989 rule, including the killing of political opponents. He is facing further charges related to the “disappearance” of opponents.

He was ousted in a U.S. invasion in 1989 after his once-cozy relationship with Washington soured over his ties to Colombian cocaine traffickers. He has spent the time since the invasion  years behind bars, first in Florida and then in France, after being convicted for drug trafficking and money laundering.

Noriega was extradited back to Panama in December 2011.and last month he was taken from El Renacer to Santo Tomas after reportedly fainting from high blood pressure.

Lawyer, and  former Panama Ambassador to the OAS, Guillermo Cochez.

said on Wednesday: “Yesterday I learned that has had several seizures”

His lawyers have asked for Noriega’s   transfer to house to prepare for surgery as doctors have recommended he lose weight, reports El Siglo