Former Panamanian ruler Manuel Noriega dies at 83

Former Panamanian ruler Manuel Antonio Noriega died aged 83 late Monday in Panama City (local time), Panama President Juan Carlos Varela said in Twitter.

Noriega was recovering from a brain tumor operation before he died, government communications secretary Manuel Dominguez said in an announcement.

Noriega took power in Panama in 1983 and was ousted by US forces in 1989. He was jailed for murder, corruption and embezzlement but was released in January to prepare for the operation.

(CGTN)