Mr. Endara, who governed from 1989 to 1994, died at his home in Panama City. His cardiologist, Sergio Solis, said the cause might have been a heart attack. Mr. Endara, who had diabetes and kidney ailments, had been hospitalized recently for dialysis treatment.

President Ricardo Martinelli hailed Mr. Endara for "delivering us from dictatorship and giving us back democracy."

Backed by a coalition of civilian parties, Mr. Endara overwhelmingly won the presidential election in May 1989, but Gen. Noriega refused to recognize the results and unleashed a wave of repression.

Seven months later, President George H.W. Bush ordered in U.S. troops and toppled the Noriega regime as it became increasingly linked to Colombian cocaine cartels. Mr. Endara took over the presidency in the middle of the fighting.

Mr. Endara tried to get Panamanians to put aside grievances. He focused on restoring democracy, promoting freedom of speech, and creating a civilian-led police force to replace Noriega's Defense Forces, which were devastated in the invasion.

Mr. Endara also faced the challenge of lifting Panama from ruin after years of economic turmoil, U.S. sanctions, and rioting during the invasion. Under his presidency, the economy grew at an average annual rate of 8 percent.

But he also faced intense street protests and sporadic uprisings from Panamanians incensed by the U.S. invasion.

In the 1994 presidential elections, his Arnulfista Party lost to the Democratic Revolutionary Party, the former political arm of the military.

As he handed over the presidency to Ernesto Perez Balladares, Mr. Endara expressed confidence his achievements would be recognized.

He later broke with the Arnulfista Party and made two unsuccessful bids for the presidency, the latest in May when he received just 2 percent of the vote.

He is survived by his wife and a daughter.