From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The
Invasion of Grenada
, codenamed
Operation Urgent Fury
, was an
invasion
of the
nation
of
Grenada
ordered by
President
Ronald Reagan
. Grenada is an
island
in the
Caribbean Sea
, 100
miles
north of
Venezuela
, and over 1,500 miles south east of the
United States
. It was invaded by the combined force of
troops
from the United States (nearly 10,000 troops),
Jamaica
and members of the
Regional Security System
(RSS) (approximately 300 troops).
Grenada had gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1974. The Communist New JEWEL Movement seized power in a nearly bloodless coup in 1979 under Maurice Bishop suspending the constitution and detaining several political prisoners.
The Reagan administration mounted a US military intervention following receipt of a formal appeal for help from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States. President Reagan stated that he felt compelled to act due to "concerns over the 600 U.S. medical students on the island"