Manuel Solís Palma | |
|---|---|
| President of Panama Acting | |
| In office 26 February 1988 – 1 September 1989 | |
| Preceded by | Eric Arturo Delvalle |
| Succeeded by | Francisco Rodríguez |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Manuel Solís Palma (1917-12-03)3 December 1917 |
| Died | 6 November 2009(2009-11-06) (aged 91) |
| Political party | Democratic Revolutionary Party |
| Spouse | Thelma Hassan |
Manuel Solís Palma (3 December 1917 inLos Santos Province – 6 November 2009) was the actingpresident of Panama from 26 February 1988 to 1 September 1989, under the military rule ofManuel Noriega. He served as education minister in several administrations,[1] and worked on the 1968 presidential campaign ofArnulfo Arias Madrid.[citation needed]
In February 1988, Noriega promoted Solís from education minister to president after the firing of presidentEric Arturo Delvalle.[1] The US administration of presidentRonald Reagan refused to recognize Solís or the diplomats representing him as legitimate.[2] In May, the administration offered a deal in which Noriega would leave office in exchange for the US dropping drug charges against him; however, the Panamanian military rejected the terms, which gave no guarantee that Solís would retain power.[3] Solís served until 1 September 1989, shortly before theUS invasion of Panama which deposed Noriega.[1] He was later described as one of a series of Noriega's puppet rulers, nicknamed the "Kleenex presidents" in Panama due to their "disposability".[4] In 1994, he was pardoned by PresidentGuillermo Endara for any crimes committed during the Noriega years.[5]
In the administration ofMartín Torrijos (2004–2009), Solís served again as advisor to the education minister.[1]
He died on 6 November 2009, aged 91, frompulmonary edema inPanama City.[1][6]
| Preceded by | President of Panama 1988–1989 | Succeeded by |
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