An intriguing collection of items from the headquarters of General Manuel Antonio Noriega, the de facto dictator of Panama from 1983-89. Noriega had a complicated relationship with U.S. intelligence agencies (including the CIA), serving as an informant for many years, despite his known massive drug dealing operations. Eventually the tables turned, and he was deposed during "Operation Just Cause," the U.S. invasion of Panama in 1989. The items offered here came from Staff Sergeant Larry Vigel, United States Army Retired, who acquired them during "Operation Just Cause." Sergeant Vigel found these items while searching for incriminating evidence in General Noriega's headquarters and include: 1) Sealed engraved wooden box of cigars (7x9"). Only the best, the box contained Cuban cigars. Sergeant Vigel states, "The cigar box was in his office on a shelf. Another opened box was there as well, with a few cigars." 2) "M.A.N." personal monogrammed "camouflage" towel (26x48"). Monogrammed letters are in black. Also contains three black "General" stars. Sergeant Vigel notes, "The towel was taken from his personal shower in his headquarters. I retrieved it from the shower. It was still damp. Indicating that he been not too long [gone] before it was hung." 3-4) "The Propaganda Drawing and the Airborne Picture came from the Paitilla Airport in Panama City," states Vigel. "The airport was used by Noriega's drug runners who also had a disco party area set up with a sound booth and various couches and mattresses for overnight parties, etc." 5) Photograph (16x19") of Noriega on aircraft preparing to do an airborne jump. Did Noriega actually jump? The black and white photo makes him seem very macho. 6) Propaganda drawing (16.5x19") depicting Noriega's view of conditions in Panama. Shocking colored drawing shows the United States as a huge snake with Noriega about to use a sword to cut off the snake's head. Noriega is carrying a basket of Panamanians on his back, and the snake is labeled (in Spanish) as fascist. All of this material was recovered from Sergeant Vigel's searches of Noriega's headquarters. Comes with a handwritten and signed letter of provenance from Larry Vigel, Staff Sergeant United States Army Retired.