Former Panamanian Leader Noriega Hospitalized

Former dictator Manuel Noriega after arrive at the Renacer prison in Panama City on December 11, 2011.

Former Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega has been hospitalized after suffering a possible stroke.

The 77-year-old former dictator is serving a 20-year sentence for the murders of opponents during his rule in the 1980s.

Noriega was extradited back to Panama in December.

He has spent the past two decades in prison - first in the United States and then France - for drug trafficking and money laundering.

Noriega was ousted from power in 1989 by an invading U.S. force.

compiled from agency reports