A coup attempt took place in Panama City targeting the government of Manuel Noriega, who had been facing increasing opposition due to allegations of corruption, drug trafficking, and human rights abuses. The political climate in Panama during the late 1980s was fraught with tension, as both public dissatisfaction and a series of protests peaked against Noriega's authoritarian rule. Forces loyal to Noriega responded decisively to the coup attempt by mobilizing quickly to dismantle the insurrection. The swift suppression of the coup not only reasserted Noriega's control but also sent a chilling message regarding dissent within the country.

Following the failure of the coup, eleven of those suspected of involvement were captured and subsequently executed. This harsh response was emblematic of Noriega's strategy to maintain power through fear and intimidation. The executions, conducted without a formal trial, drew significant international condemnation and further escalated tensions in a country already under examination for its political practices and the protection of human rights.

In the weeks and months that followed, various factions within Panama would continue to challenge Noriega's authority, ultimately leading to increased U.S. intervention in the country and culminating in the American invasion in December of the same year. This event underscored the fragility of political power in Panama and the lengths to which leaders would go to preserve their regimes in the face of instability.