December 20, 1989: The United States invades Panama and arrests General Manuel Noriega (who is later tried and convicted) on charges of drug smuggling. The Pentagon, upon the order of Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney, does not inform the press pool of the impending invasion until it would be impossible for them to arrive in Panama before the operation starts. Pool reporters arrive after the invasion begins, are detained in a holding area, and consistently delayed getting to the battlefield until the operation is all but over.