The president of Panama in the 1980s was Manuel Noriega. Here's why:
1. Manuel Noriega served as the de facto leader of Panama from the early 1980s until 1989.
2. Noriega rose to power through the military and eventually became the head of the Panamanian Defense Forces.
3. He was a controversial figure known for his involvement in drug trafficking and human rights abuses during his time in power.
4. Noriega's regime came to an end in 1989 when he was removed from power by a U.S. military intervention known as Operation Just Cause.
Therefore, based on the historical context of Panama in the 1980s, Manuel Noriega was the president of Panama during that period.
