Cold War episode 19 – Backyard 1954-1990: The United States has always regarded Latin America as its own backyard. Fearing the spread of communism, it seeks to destabilize leftist governments. In 1973, the CIA helps overthrow the Chilean president Salvador Allende; in the 1980’s it support right wing extremists in Nicaragua and El Salvador. The United States saw the emergence of leftist movements in different Latin American countries as threatening to its commercial interests, and secretly plotted with military strongmen and middle class interests concerned with the land reforms and nationalisation policies of new governments.
In Guatemala Jacobo Arbenz was ousted by a CIA-inspired coup in 1954. Similarly US meddling in Chile’s economic and political spheres weakened Salvador Allende grip on power, and he was ultimately deposed by his own military in 1973. The United States sent troops to the Dominican Republic in 1965 and Grenada in 1983, and trained and supported various acquiescent juntas, including a brutal regime in El Salvador. In Nicaragua the United States secretly supported the Contras against the leftist Sandinista government; eventually military actions and economic sanctions push Nicaraguans into voting for anti-Sandinista politician Violeta Chamorro in 1990. Interviewees include Frank Wisner, Hortensia Bussi, Nikolai Leonov, Violeta Chamorro and Daniel Ortega.
Cold War episode 19 – Backyard 1954-1990
Throughout modern history, the United States has viewed Latin America akin to its own backyard, a perspective fueled by geopolitical strategy, economic interests, and a vigilant stance against the perceived threat of communism. The primary focus of the U.S. has been to counteract and destabilize left-leaning governments, viewing such regimes as potential breeding grounds for communist ideologies and threats to its regional dominance.
Chile: The Fall of Salvador Allende
One of the key examples of this occurred in 1973 in Chile. Here, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) played a clandestine role in orchestrating the ousting of the democratically-elected President, Salvador Allende. This event sent shockwaves throughout the region and the world.
- Allende’s Policies: The socialist policies of Allende, particularly his nationalization of key industries, were viewed with suspicion by the United States.
- U.S. Actions: This suspicion led to covert operations aimed at destabilizing his government, culminating in his overthrow.
Supporting Right-Wing Factions
Throughout the tumultuous decade of the 1980s, the United States maintained a strong and steadfast anti-leftist position. This political ideology was most prominently demonstrated in the countries of Nicaragua and El Salvador. These particular regions, with their volatile mix of civil unrest, socio-political disputes, and desperate cries for change, were plagued by numerous conflicts that rocked the very foundations of their society.
The landscape of these countries, gripped in the throes of conflict, offered an opportunity that was not lost on the United States. Viewing these upheavals as strategic openings, the U.S. found in these war-torn territories a platform for fostering and nurturing alliances that aligned with its own political and ideological interests. The turmoil in these countries gave the United States the chance to lend its support to those factions and groups that echoed its own anti-leftist sentiments, thereby subtly shaping the political dynamics in these regions.
In essence, the landscape of socio-political strife in Nicaragua and El Salvador became a fertile ground for the U.S., enabling it to extend its geopolitical influence by nurturing and promoting its chosen allies. The United States’ continued anti-leftist stance was thus not only a political statement, but also a strategic maneuver, deeply entrenched in the complex tapestry of global politics during the 1980s.
Protecting Commercial Interests – Cold War episode 19
A series of events in different countries reveal a pattern of strategic interferences by the U.S. to protect and promote its commercial interests.
- Guatemala: President Jacobo Arbenz was forcefully removed from power in 1954 through a CIA-influenced coup, due to his progressive land reform policies.
- Chile: U.S. interference gradually eroded Salvador Allende’s hold on power, leading to his removal by his own military in 1973.
Military Interventions
In its global efforts to maintain a certain balance of power, the United States has consistently demonstrated a readiness to commit its military might to areas of strategic interest or concern. This determined approach is exemplified by certain key instances in the nation’s history, such as the decision to deploy troops to the Dominican Republic in 1965 and to Grenada in 1983.
In 1965, amidst a backdrop of political turmoil and civil war in the Dominican Republic, the United States deemed it necessary to intervene. The decision was not taken lightly, but rather stemmed from a perceived need to stabilize the region and protect American interests. Consequently, U.S. troops were deployed, highlighting the country’s willingness to utilize its military forces when necessary.
This pattern of strategic military intervention was echoed nearly two decades later, in 1983, when Grenada found itself in the midst of a volatile power struggle. Concerned about the geopolitical implications of the conflict, and with the intention of safeguarding both its citizens on the island and its broader regional interests, the United States once again deployed its military forces.
These instances clearly demonstrate the United States’ readiness to flex its military muscle when deemed essential. These decisions, driven by a mix of humanitarian concerns, geopolitical considerations, and the preservation of American interests, underline the U.S.’s commitment to maintaining global stability and order.
Backing Acquiescent Regimes – Cold War episode 19
In the complex and ever-changing landscape of international politics, the United States has often demonstrated a strategic approach in choosing its allies. This approach was underscored by its decisions to support certain regimes that were in alignment with its own political policies and ideologies, irrespective of the nature of those regimes. Two of the most stark examples of this policy can be seen in the U.S. support extended to El Salvador and Nicaragua during periods of intense strife and upheaval.
In El Salvador, a junta had risen to power that was notorious for its brutal tactics and oppressive rule. Despite the junta’s reputation for its harsh approach to governance, the U.S. chose to extend its support to the regime. This was largely driven by the alignment of the junta’s political leanings with those of the U.S., making it a strategically valuable ally in the geopolitical chessboard of the era.
Similarly, in Nicaragua, the U.S. found another avenue for exerting its influence, albeit in a more covert manner. This came in the form of backing the Contras, a right-wing rebel group fiercely opposing the ruling Sandinista government. Despite the secretive nature of this support, it was an undeniable demonstration of the U.S.’s determination to uphold its policies and ideologies, even if it meant supporting a faction engaged in a bloody and divisive civil war.
These instances underscore the pragmatic, and at times controversial, approach of the U.S. in choosing its allies and extending support. They reflect a policy driven not by the nature of the regimes in question, but by the degree to which those regimes align with the U.S.’s own political strategies and objectives.
Testimonies and Insights
Testimonies from various individuals, including Frank Wisner, Hortensia Bussi, Nikolai Leonov, Violeta Chamorro, and Daniel Ortega, shed light on the intricate web of geopolitical maneuverings that characterized the United States’ relationship with Latin America during this era.
