Dictators, drugs, discord - Latin America and the USA (1/3) | DW Documentary

Key Concepts

• US Interventionism: The consistent involvement of the United States in Latin American politics, often supporting authoritarian regimes to counter perceived communist threats.
• Operation Condor: A coordinated campaign of political repression and state terror involving right-wing dictatorships in South America.
• Cold War Influence: The impact of the global Cold War dynamic on Latin American political instability and US foreign policy.
• Authoritarian Regimes: The rise and characteristics of military dictatorships in Brazil, Chile, Panama, and Nicaragua.
• Nationalism & Sovereignty: The struggle for national control, exemplified by the Panama Canal negotiations.
• Sandinista Revolution: The overthrow of the Samosa dictatorship in Nicaragua and the subsequent challenges faced by the new government.
• Social Justice & Inequality: The underlying socio-economic factors driving political unrest and revolutionary movements.

The Tumultuous History of Latin America: A Chronicle of Intervention, Dictatorship, and Revolution

This account details the political struggles of six Latin American nations – Brazil, Chile, Panama, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Colombia – over the past 60 years, highlighting the pervasive influence of external forces, particularly the United States, and the cyclical pattern of hope and repression. The narrative emphasizes the region’s constant battle against inequality, polarization, and authoritarianism, often framed as a series of “hurricanes” sweeping through the continent.

I. Brazil: The Overthrow of João Goulart and the Rise of Military Rule (1964)

The story begins with Brazil in 1964, under the progressive presidency of João Goulart. Goulart’s proposals for agricultural reform – redistributing land in a nation dominated by large landowners – and his pursuit of social justice alarmed the Brazilian elite and triggered a conservative backlash. This occurred during the height of the Cold War, and the US government, under Lyndon B. Johnson, viewed Goulart’s policies with deep suspicion, fearing a communist takeover akin to the Cuban Revolution of 1959.

President Johnson explicitly discussed intervention in Brazil, stating, “We just can’t take this one,” and ordered support for the Brazilian army to overthrow Goulart. US support included providing military aid, arms, and ammunition. On March 31st, 1964, Brazilian generals launched a coup, bolstered by the promise of US backing and joined by civilian supporters. Goulart was overthrown before US aid even arrived, but the US was the first to recognize the new military leaders, solidifying their power.

The subsequent military dictatorship, led by figures like Branco, Silva, and Medici, suspended parliamentary elections, dissolved political parties, abolished direct presidential elections, and systematically suppressed political rights. This established a model for authoritarianism that would be emulated throughout the region.

II. Chile: The Socialist Experiment of Salvador Allende and the 1973 Coup

Chile, under Salvador Allende, represented another attempt at a socialist path. Allende, elected in 1970, aimed for “real structural change” and a more egalitarian society, with 90% of the population possessing little while 10% held the wealth. His government welcomed Fidel Castro, further escalating tensions with the US. The US, fearing another Cuba, implemented an “invisible blockade” – cutting off US credits and lobbying against international loans to Chile – creating severe economic shortages. Eggs, chicken, and meat became scarce, accessible only on the black market.

The US also actively worked to destabilize Allende’s government, with President Nixon reportedly asking General Medici of Brazil about Allende’s fate, receiving the chilling response that he would “suffer the same fate as Goulart.” Brazilian intelligence collaborated with the Chilean military to facilitate the coup. On September 11th, 1973, the Chilean Air Force bombed the presidential palace, initiating a military coup. Allende, in his final radio address, expressed hope for future social change before his death.

General Augusto Pinochet seized control, initiating a brutal crackdown on suspected “subversives,” communists, and leftists. Thousands were arrested, tortured, and disappeared.

III. Operation Condor: A Network of Repression

The rise of authoritarian regimes in South America led to the formation of Operation Condor, a clandestine network of intelligence coordination between the dictatorships of Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. Initiated by the Chilean secret police, the operation allowed security forces to operate across borders, targeting and eliminating political opponents. Orlando Letelier, a former Allende government official, became a prominent victim, assassinated by a bomb in Washington D.C. in 1976. Operation Condor is estimated to have claimed hundreds of thousands of lives through torture and extrajudicial killings.

IV. Panama: The Struggle for the Canal and Omar Torrijos’ Diplomacy

Panama’s struggle for control of the Panama Canal provides a contrasting narrative. The Canal Zone, a US-controlled strip of land bisecting Panama, was a source of national humiliation. Omar Torrijos, a National Guard colonel, tapped into this resentment and initiated negotiations with the US to regain control of the canal.

Torrijos skillfully leveraged international allies and engaged in diplomatic maneuvering, including seeking support from Fidel Castro for weapons. President Jimmy Carter, committed to a more ethical foreign policy, proved willing to negotiate. The resulting treaties, signed in 1977, transferred control of the canal to Panama, with a phased withdrawal of US troops. Torrijos’ success was unique, achieving a victory without bloodshed.

V. Nicaragua: The Sandinista Revolution and US Opposition

Nicaragua, under the dictatorship of Anastasio Somoza, experienced a revolution fueled by widespread discontent and the devastation of a 1978 earthquake. Somoza’s corruption and theft of international aid funds eroded his legitimacy. The Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) launched a successful armed struggle, culminating in Somoza’s flight in 1979.

The Sandinista revolution, however, faced immediate opposition from the US, which viewed the new government with suspicion. The US actively sought to undermine the Sandinistas, fearing the spread of communism. The narrative concludes with a sense of ongoing struggle and the challenges faced by Latin American nations in asserting their sovereignty and pursuing social justice in the face of external interference.

VI. Carter’s Shift in US Policy & A Glimmer of Hope

President Jimmy Carter’s election in 1976 signaled a potential shift in US policy towards Latin America. Carter expressed regret over past US support for authoritarian regimes and pledged to prioritize human rights. This offered a glimmer of hope for countries like Panama and Nicaragua, but the underlying tensions and historical patterns of intervention remained.

This account underscores the complex interplay of internal dynamics and external pressures that have shaped Latin America’s history, highlighting the enduring legacy of US interventionism and the ongoing struggle for self-determination.