The recent apprehension of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his spouse on Saturday echoes the dramatic capture of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega, which occurred exactly 36 years earlier on January 3. This historical parallel draws attention to the striking similarities between the two events, both of which unfolded on the same calendar date.

In a bold move during the early hours of December 20, 1989, U.S. forces, under the directive of then-President George H.W. Bush, orchestrated a surprise invasion of Panama. The operation was prompted by accusations that Noriega was colluding with drug cartels to smuggle cocaine into the United States.

Noriega also faced charges concerning his involvement in rigging Panama’s 1989 presidential election. According to the U.S. Army’s website, the mission aimed to reinstate the democratically elected government of Guillermo Endara and hold Noriega accountable for his drug-related crimes. Dubbed Operation Just Cause, it was the most extensive and intricate military endeavor since the Vietnam War.

Like the recent operation targeting Maduro, the invasion of Panama was carried out without formal approval from Congress, as reported by Axios. This similarity highlights a recurring theme in U.S. foreign interventions.

Similarly to Saturday’s operation involving Maduro, the Panama invasion proceeded without explicit authorization from Congress, according to Axios. 

Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega at a ceremony commemorating the death of the national hero, Omar Torrijos, in Panama City.  (Bill Gentile/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)

Noriega’s capture, however, unfolded over several weeks as he evaded arrest by taking refuge inside the Vatican’s embassy in Panama City.

U.S. troops used psychological warfare to force Noriega out of hiding.

In a tactic known as Operation Nifty Package, military vehicles with loudspeakers blasted non-stop rock music with a playlist that included songs by The Clash, Van Halen and U2, BBC News reported.

Noriega surrendered to U.S. forces Jan. 3, 1990, 36 years to the day before the U.S. capture of Maduro, and was flown to America to stand trial, Axios reported.

Former Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega is pictured in this Jan. 4, 1990, file photo. (Reuters/HO JDP)

The operation resulted in the deaths of 23 U.S. service members and left 320 others wounded. The Pentagon estimated that roughly 200 Panamanian civilians and 314 Panamanian military personnel were killed, according to The Associated Press.

In 1992, Noriega was convicted on drug trafficking charges in a Miami federal court and received a 40-year prison sentence.

He was granted prisoner-of-war status, housed in a separate bungalow away from other inmates and was allowed to wear his Panamanian military uniform and insignia in court, the AP reported.

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro addresses supporters during a rally marking the anniversary of the 19th-century Battle of Santa Ines in Caracas, Venezuela, Dec. 10.  (Pedro Rances Mattey/Anadolu via Getty Images)

After serving 17 years in a U.S. prison, he was extradited to France and later Panama. He died in 2017.

President Donald Trump announced Saturday that Maduro and his wife had been captured and flown out of the country as part of Operation Absolute Resolve.

In recent months, the U.S. military has carried out a series of strikes on suspected drug vessels allegedly liked to the Venezuelan regime in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific. 

Until a permanent leader can be found, the U.S. government will “run” Venezuela, Trump said, “until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.”