Military Rule in Latin America During the Cold War

Military Rule in Latin America (1960s-1980s)

This era was heavily influenced by the Cold War, a period of intense tension between the United States and Russia, the two major world superpowers.

The Cold War Context

The Cold War was characterized by:

  • Ideological Division: The world was divided into two main blocs: the communist bloc led by Russia and the capitalist bloc led by the U.S.
  • Proxy Conflicts: Instead of direct warfare, the US and Russia competed for influence by supporting different factions and governments around the world.
  • Nuclear Threat: The constant threat of nuclear war loomed large, as both the US and Russia possessed nuclear weapons capable of destroying the planet.

The Cuban Revolution

The Cuban Revolution of 1959 was a significant event that heightened Cold War tensions in Latin America. Cuba's alliance with Russia made the US wary of any leftist or nationalist movements in the region, viewing them as potential communist proxies.

US Response: The National Security Doctrine

To counter the perceived communist threat in Latin America, the US implemented the National Security Doctrine. This policy involved:

  • Anti-Communist Alliances: Forming alliances between the US military and Latin American military forces.
  • Counterinsurgency Training: Providing training and resources to Latin American militaries to suppress internal dissent and maintain order favorable to US interests.
  • Identifying Internal Enemies: Defining anyone who opposed US interests, including union organizers, intellectuals, student protesters, and the poor, as "internal enemies of freedom."

Alliance for Progress

The Alliance for Progress was a US aid program ostensibly aimed at improving living conditions in Latin America. However, the majority of the aid was directed towards strengthening military forces, providing them with weapons and training in counterinsurgency tactics, including methods of torture.

Rise of Military Dictatorships

Fueled by US support and anti-communist ideology, military forces in many Latin American countries began to seize control of their governments, installing dictatorships led by military generals (juntas). This led to increased polarization within societies.

Artistic and Literary Boom

Despite the political turmoil, this era also witnessed a flourishing of Latin American literature and art. Many writers gained international recognition, including Nobel Prize winners like Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Colombia), author of Cien Años de Soledad (One Hundred Years of Solitude), and prominent figures like Carlos Fuentes (Mexico) and Mario Vargas Llosa (Peru).

Emergence of Liberation Theology

A new branch of the Catholic Church, known as liberation theology, emerged in Latin America during this period. Unlike the traditional Church, which often aligned with the wealthy elite, liberation theologists allied themselves with revolutionaries, fighting against US imperialism and class oppression. They aimed to empower the poor through literacy programs and social organizing.

The "Dirty War"

The military regimes that took power in Latin America engaged in widespread violence and repression against their own citizens. This period became known as the "Dirty War," characterized by:

  • Secret Kidnappings and Torture: Individuals suspected of sympathizing with revolutionary movements were abducted, tortured, and often murdered.
  • Mass Murders: The military carried out massacres to suppress dissent and maintain control.
  • Military Death Squads: In countries like Argentina, death squads were responsible for the disappearance of thousands of citizens.

Examples of Military Rule

  • Brazil: One of the most notorious examples of military rule, with a large number of victims.
  • Argentina: Military death squads caused the disappearance of over 20,000 citizens. The Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo continue to protest these disappearances.
  • Uruguay: Another country severely affected by military rule.

The Case of Chile

  • Salvador Allende: The democratically elected socialist president of Chile.
  • Nationalization: Allende nationalized copper mines and banks, impacting US corporations and foreign investors.
  • Land Reform: He implemented land reform policies to redistribute land to the poor.
  • Social Programs: Allende implemented programs to improve living standards for the poor, such as vaccination programs and providing milk to children.
  • US Intervention: The US, through the CIA, orchestrated a military coup on September 11, 1973, which resulted in Allende's death and the installation of Augusto Pinochet as dictator.

Central America

In Central American countries like Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, and El Salvador, the dirty war resulted in widespread violence against rural populations. Individuals suspected of supporting guerilla movements were often executed by the military. Rigoberta Menchú Tum, a Mayan activist from Guatemala, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for denouncing the atrocities committed by the military in her country.

Exceptions to Military Rule

  • Costa Rica: Costa Rica was spared from military rule because it does not have a military force.
  • Colombia: Colombia was already embroiled in conflict with drug cartels and guerrilla groups, making it difficult for the CIA to establish control.