Former Panamanian Dictator Sueing Activision over Black Ops II

You know who’s not a lot of fun?  Dictators.

Who would have guessed that oppressive civil leaders who use violence and fear to brutally control their population are lacking for a sense of humor, but apparently that’s the case: North Korea, for example, has not-so-politely asked that the upcoming Seth Rogan comedy “The Interview” never be shown because it just happens to be about the assassination of their glorious leader Kim Jong-Un.  But he’s not the only dictator with a critical eye on western media—because as it turns out, former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega is suing Activision for his portrayal in the Black Ops II mission “Suffer with me”.

Even though he is currently in jail, Mr. Nooriega is in talks with lawyers to have Activision sued for "blatant misuse, unlawful exploitation and misappropriation for economic gain… Defendants deliberately and systematically misappropriated plaintiff's likeness to increase revenues and royalties, at the expense of plaintiff and without the consent of plaintiff," the suit continues to say that he is portrayed "as a kidnapper, murderer and enemy of the state. An objective of one portion of 'Black Ops II' is solely to capture plaintiff."



Additionally, this lawsuit also said that Manuel Noriega has been damaged by his depiction in-game, and...

"the false impression that defendants are authorized to use plaintiff's image and likeness. This caused plaintiffs to receive profits they would not have otherwise received."

The game certainly doesn’t have very many nice things to say about the man, but how fair is that?  Well, the ex-dictator was originally imprisoned in 1992 for eight counts of  drug trafficking, money laundering, and racketeering after being captured by the United States and sent up to be tried in American courts. He was later released in 2007, but was later jailed AGAIN in Europe in 2010 for murder and, again, money laundering. 

So not exactly a boy scout, true, but it’s also worth noting he was backed by the CIA during most of his reign, and during his rise of power, and was an ally with the US until around 1986, when things began to fall apart.  

Was he a bad man?  Did he deserve being called a “piece of crap” by the characters in Black Ops II?  I’ll let you decide.  I just report the news, man.