The death of the former Strongman of Panama, Manuel Antonio Noriega, rather than closing a chapter of history opens a new stage which requires those who had ties to the military dictatorship to disclose the facts about atrocities and events that occurred during those years.
Noriega, who headed the military regime for the period 1983-1989, was accused by relatives of the those killed and gone missing to be the lead manager of those violent acts.
The accusations made by those who then opposed Noriega and the military dictatorship take place even though the deceased general took many secrets to the grave, there are still people who worked closely with the military.
One of whom responded in a writing, after the death of the dictator, was Alida Spadafora, sister of Hugo Spadafora, who was beheaded by the military: "now Noriega faces divine justice… takes his secrets to the grave; but many know the truth of his atrocities and they must talk."
For priest Conrado Sanjur, member of the Committee of Victims, Noriega was a "vital source" to find out what happened in those times of dictatorship and its perpetrators, but with his death this possibility looks inexistent.
However, he believes that this chapter of Panamanian history does not end because justice must be served and many people in Panama, former militaries, businessmen, and politicians know something about what happened at that time.
While he complains about how the country is left without knowing the truth, after the death of the protagonist of the dictatorship, he said: "as a Christian I ask God to forgive him".
Maritza Maestre, Chair of the Committee of Victims, killed and gone missing during the military dictatorship, also agreed that "with the passing of Noriega now it is more difficult to know the truth of what took place".
