... health status is increasingly vulnerable...Panama City, Panama (ANTARA News) - Former Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega is back in the hospital over heart concerns, just a few months after a bout with bronchitis kept him there for 20 days, his personal doctor said Friday.
The 78-year-old --a one-time CIA informant who was overthrown in a US invasion-- has been in and out of the hospital four times since his return to Panama in December. He was taken to St Thomas Hospital on Tuesday.
"His health status is increasingly vulnerable," the doctor, Eduardo Reyes, told AFP. Reyes has been advocating for Noriega to serve out the rest of his sentence at home.
Doctors noticed two weeks ago that Noriega was suffering from fluid retention and edema -- or swelling of the extremities related to his heart condition.
He warned that "the center is not capable of handling any emergency event that could signify a more serious condition," and added that he could not specify how long Noriega would stay in the hospital.
Noriega was extradited from France and jailed at El Renacer (Rebirth) prison on December 11, 2011. He is serving three consecutive 20-year sentences for the disappearance of opponents during his years in power, from 1983 to 1989.
The former strongman has previously suffered two strokes, and has heart disease, prostate cancer and a benign brain tumor diagnosed as meningioma.
Since February Noriega`s lawyers have been seeking permission for their client to serve out his prison term in a hospital or under house arrest because of his weak health.
Authorities have not commented on the hospitalization.
(H-AK)
Editor: Ade P Marboen
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
