There have been numerous interventions by the USA into Latin American countries during the 19th century

We will examine a few:1850- 1990- Nicaragua1954 Guatemala1974- Chile1979-1984- Grenada1989- Panama

Policy Background

• 1947- Truman Doctrine (help anyone fighting communists)

• 1947- Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (all for one/one for all)

• 1948- Pan-American Conference (democracy, trade and peaceful relations)

Nicaragua

Since 1850 USA has a presence in Nicaraguan affairs

1936 Anastasio Somoza becomes a dictator supported with USA $$

He is a brutal ruler but loyal to the USA. Somoza assists in the 1954 coup in

Guatemala. Killed in 1956, his son, Somoza Debayle

takes control He is finally overthrown in 1979, and for the

first time in history Nicaragua is free

Contra War The new government receives international

recognition for gains in literacy, health care, education, childcare, unions, and land reform.

There are some rebels loyal to the Samoza regime

These “Contras” would have no power, except that they are funded by the USA

This war lasts more than 10 years, more than 60,000 die and the country is left in ruins

The war was unpopular in the USA despite a wide-spread propaganda campaign

By 1984 it was illegal for the government to fund the contras.

Funding continued illegally:NSC establishes “The Enterprise”Secret organization funnels $ from illegal arms

sales in Iran & drug trafficking

Even when this is discovered in the USA there is virtually no punishment

Guatemala 1954

• 1952- President Jacobo Arbenz redistributed unused land to peasants.

• This took profits from the United Fruit Company (UFC) an American MNC

• The CIA, convinced that Guzman was a Soviet puppet contrived to overthrow his leadership in 1954.

• Subsequently no evidence was found.• In fact Guzman had operated well within

Guatemalan law.• Led to a 30 year Guatemalan civil war (1960-

1996)

Jacobo Arbenz Guzman

Chile 1973

• 1970- Salvador Allende is elected president of Chile’

• The Americans are worried about his potential socialist leanings and friendship with Castro

• Over the next couple years there were various uprisings supported by the CIA but Allende retained power

• Supported by the CIA General Augusto Pinochet seizes power on Sept. 11, 1973

• Under his rule between 1200-3000 people were killed, 80,000 imprisoned and 30,000 tortured

Pinochet

Grenada 1983

March 1979- Maurice Bishop leads a successful communist revolution in Grenada

Bishop was killed in another coup attempt in October of 1983.

Due to the political instability the USA invaded on October 25, 1983

The invasion was criticized by not only other Latin-American countries but by Canada and the UK

Panama

Panama Canal• USA had a questionable agreement to

control the canal from 1903-1977. Then joint control until 1999

• This led to large-scale resentment of American influence in the country

• Jan. 9, 1964- Martyrs Day– Resentment explodes into protest then riots– More than 25 die and 500 injured in 3 days of

fighting• One of the main factors in the 1977 Torrijos-

Carter treaty

Manuel Noriega

Manuel Noriega Drug-lord supported by the CIA through the

1960s & 70s Maneuvered himself into power of Panama

by 1983 Paid by the USA in the 1980s and allowed

them to keep power in the canal To keep power Noriega manipulated

elections, killed opponents and ran an underground drug-based economy

• As opposition grew his methods became more brutal

• In 1989 after a blatantly false election tensions were at an all-time high

• The USA was forced to condemn Noriega, which resulted in an invasion.

• On Dec. 20 the USA invaded Panama (with 92% of Panamanians approving)

• He surrendered on Jan. 9 1990 and has been in American, French and now Panamanian prison ever since.

Who is this?

Assignment Research the life of Che Guevara and

answer one of the following in a paragraph:

1. What were his core economic & political beliefs? How were they opposed to the USA’s actions in Latin America?

2. What roles did he play in the Cuban revolution, Bay of Pigs, and missile crisis?