Panama is one of Latin America’s most attractive countries for investors and foreign retirees because of its solid economy and good quality of life. But nearly three decades ago the country suffered a shock as US troops deployed to ouster dictator Manuel Noriega.

Hundreds died and the intervention was highly destructive. Noriega was taken to the US for trial and Panama took several decisions towards its future, like eliminating the army for good.

It took about two years to recover the economy and most of the infrastructure, but the fact that Panama had to be invaded to return to democracy wounded its national pride, as correspondent John Zarrella reports.