THURSDAY DECEMBER 20 is a “Day of National Reflection” in Panama and flags on public and private buildings will be at half-mast to mark the U.S. invasion in 1989 leading to the deaths of hundreds of citizens-some claim thousands in unmarked mass graves- and labelled  "Just Cause"is seen by many as the most traumatic event in the country’s history.

The invasion led to the capture of  Military Dictator Manuel Noriega to face drug smuggling charges.  He was jailed in the US for 17 years and served additional time behind bars in France before returning to Panama and spending his last year's in El Renacer prison, now home to Panama's former president Ricardo Martinelli.

Commemorative events will take place across the city and a Commission with a $900,000 budget set up to investigate the event will present a report to a public audience. The final report will be presented in 2019.