Noriega Bodyguard Abandons Vatican Embassy Refuge

PANAMA CITY — The head of security for deposed Panamanian strongman Manuel A. Noriega on Sunday abandoned Panama’s Vatican Embassy, where he had taken refuge after last December’s U.S. invasion, and immediately went into hiding, Panamanian officials said.

The escape of Eliecer Gaytan, who was Noriega’s chief bodyguard, prompted a full-scale manhunt by U.S. and Panamanian authorities, a local radio station said.

Television news reports showed the embassy ringed by American troops and Panamanian police.

Gaytan took refuge on Dec. 23 in the Vatican Embassy, joining Noriega, who later handed himself over to U.S. authorities to stand trial in Florida on drug-related charges. Gaytan remained for the next nine months.