U.S. Backed Coups in Latin America

A CENTURY OF U.S. BACKED COUPS IN LATIN AMERICA

LIST OF US COUPS & INTERVENTIONS IN LATIN AMERICA

  • Cuba (1898-1902)
  • Nicaragua (1909-1933)
  • Mexico (1913-1914)
  • Haiti (1915-1934)
  • Brazil (1964)
  • Dominican Republic (1961, 1965)
  • Bolivia (1971)
  • Chile (1973)
  • Argentina (1976)
  • Ecuador (1960-1963)
  • Panama (1989)
  • Venezuela (2019-present)

CUBA (1898-1902)

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In the wake of the Spanish-American War, the United States military seized the opportunity to occupy Cuba from 1898 to 1902.

This occupation, born out of America's growing imperial ambitions and the desire to protect its economic interests, marked a significant turning point in the history of both nations.

The U.S. presence in Cuba during this period laid the groundwork for a complex and often tumultuous relationship that would shape the political, economic, and social landscape of the Caribbean for generations to come.

NICARAGUA (1909-1933)

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Nicaragua, a nation caught in the crosshairs of American foreign policy, found itself subjected to U.S. intervention from 1909 to 1933.

Driven by a desire to safeguard American business interests and ensure the establishment of a government amenable to U.S. objectives, the United States took an active role in shaping Nicaragua's political destiny.

MEXICO (1913-1914)

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In the tumultuous years of 1913-1914, Mexico found itself embroiled in a political upheaval (Mexican Revolution) that would forever alter the course of its history.

The United States, through the actions of its Ambassador to Mexico, played a pivotal role in the coup led by General Victoriano Huerta against the democratically elected President Francisco I. Madero.

However, in a surprising turn of events, the U.S. government refused to recognize Huerta's legitimacy, instead opting to allow arms sales to his political adversaries and even going so far as to occupy the strategic port of Veracruz—ultimately contributing to Huerta's downfall.

HAITI (1915-1934)

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In a chapter of history that would forever shape the destiny of the Caribbean nation, the United States launched an invasion and occupation of Haiti that lasted from 1915 to 1934.

Driven by a desire to safeguard American economic interests and exert control over Haiti's financial affairs, the U.S. government embarked upon a course of action that would have far-reaching consequences for the Haitian people.

BRAZIL (1964)

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In a pivotal moment that would reshape the political landscape of South America's largest nation, the United States lent its support to the 1964 Brazilian coup d'état that ousted President João Goulart from power.

The U.S. government, driven by Cold War-era concerns over the spread of communism and Goulart's perceived leftist leanings, played a significant role in backing the military-led overthrow of Brazil's democratically elected leader.

This intervention ushered in a period of authoritarian rule that would last for over two decades.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (1961, 1965)

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The Dominican Republic, a nation with a turbulent history, found itself at the center of U.S. intervention on two pivotal occasions.

In 1961, the United States played a shadowy role in the assassination of the country's dictator, Rafael Trujillo, a man whose iron-fisted rule had long been a source of concern for American policymakers.

Just four years later, in 1965, the U.S. once again intervened in Dominican affairs, this time in response to the outbreak of a civil war that threatened to destabilize the nation and potentially pave the way for communist influence in the Caribbean.

BOLIVIA (1971)

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In a tumultuous year that would forever alter the course of Bolivian history, the United States threw its support behind the 1971 coup led by General Hugo Banzer, a move that would ultimately topple the leftist government of President Juan José Torres.

This intervention, driven by the U.S. government's determination to prevent the spread of socialism in Latin America, marked a significant turning point in Bolivia's political trajectory.

The coup, which ushered in a period of military rule and repression.

CHILE (1973)

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In a moment that would forever be etched in the annals of Latin American history, the United States played a pivotal role in the 1973 Chilean coup d'état that overthrew the democratically elected government of President Salvador Allende.

The U.S. government, driven by a deep-seated fear of the spread of socialism in the region and Allende's leftist policies, covertly supported the military-led overthrow of the Chilean leader.

This intervention, which ushered in the brutal dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet, sent shockwaves throughout the international community.

ARGENTINA (1976)

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In a dark chapter of Argentina's history, the United States tacitly supported the 1976 Argentine coup d'état, which ousted the democratically elected government and ushered in a brutal military dictatorship.

The U.S. government, prioritizing its anti-communist agenda over the principles of democracy and human rights, turned a blind eye to the atrocities committed by the Argentine junta.

This silent complicity in the face of widespread repression and "disappearances" of political dissidents left an indelible stain on the conscience of both nations.

ECUADOR (1960-1963)

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In the tumultuous years between 1960 and 1963, Ecuador found itself in the crosshairs of Cold War-era covert operations, as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) conducted a series of clandestine missions aimed at destabilizing the governments of Presidents José María Velasco Ibarra and Carlos Julio Arosemena Monroy.

These actions, driven by the United States' determination to curb the spread of leftist influence in Latin America, involved the manipulation of political affairs and the subversion of democratic processes.

The repercussions of these covert operations would reverberate throughout Ecuadorian society for years to come.

PANAMA (1989)

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In a dramatic display of military might, the United States launched an invasion of Panama in 1989, with the ultimate goal of overthrowing the government of General Manuel Noriega.

The operation, code-named "Just Cause," was a culmination of years of tension between the two nations, fueled by Noriega's alleged involvement in drug trafficking and his increasingly authoritarian rule.

The U.S. intervention, which resulted in the capture of Noriega and the installation of a new government, marked a significant turning point in the history of Panama.

VENEZUELA (2019-PRESENT)

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In the ongoing political crisis that has gripped Venezuela since 2019, the United States has taken an active role in supporting opposition efforts to unseat President Nicolás Maduro.

The U.S. government, citing concerns over the legitimacy of Maduro's rule and the deteriorating economic and humanitarian situation in the country, has thrown its weight behind the opposition leader Juan Guaidó.

Through a combination of economic sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and public statements of support for the opposition, the United States has sought to promote a political transition in Venezuela, a stance that has drawn both praise and criticism from the international community.

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