Noriega had a unique status in the American penitentiary system, where he was the first foreign head of state to be convicted and the only official prisoner of war.
He fought to avoid extradition to France, seeking instead a return to Panama even though he faces a 54-year jail sentence there for his role in the murder of political opponents during his time in power between 1981 and 1989.
But in January, the US Supreme Court refused to hear his appeal against extradition, paving the way for a trial in France.
Despite his brutality and despotic tactics, Noriega was protected by the US for much of his military and political career as a Cold War ally.
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