GENERAL MANUEL NORIEGA - FIRST DAY COVER SIGNED - HFSID 279534

MANUEL NORIEGA
1970 Christmas first day cover for Lorenzo Lotto's The Nativity, signed by general and Panamanian strong man Manuel Noriega
First day cover signed "Manuel Noriega…". Black ink notations near bottom edge in unknown hand.6½x3½. Christmas first day cover with blue-toned b/w cachet of Lorenzo Lotto's The Nativity at left edge. Postmarked Washington, D. C., Nov. 5, 1970. One color 6¢ Nativity stamp affixed. FIRST DAY OF ISSUE. Manuel Noriega (1934-2017) was the Commander of Panama Defense Forces and de facto ruler of Panama from Aug. 12, 1983 to Dec. 20, 1989. In 1988, Panama's President, Eric A. Delvalle, dismissed him after the General had been indicted in the United States for drug trafficking, but Noriega refused to leave his post. President George Bush ordered a U.S. expeditionary force to oust Noriega. On Dec. 20, 1989, a U.S. military force of over 20,000 troops invaded Panama. Noriega eluded U.S. forces but finally surrendered on Jan. 3, 1990. He was flown to Miami for trial. Noriega was convicted on April 9, 1992 on eight counts of drug trafficking, money laundering and racketeering. On July 10, 1992, he was sentenced by a U.S. federal judge to 40 years in prison. Despite his long sentence, reduced to 30 years in 1999, Noriega is eligible for release from prison in 2007. The government of Panama has sought to extradite him on murder charges. Lightly toned and rippled. Signature touches postmark and notations but is legible. Staple holes at top edge. Otherwise in fine condition.