7.1 The Rise of Military Regimes

The Cold War era saw Latin America become a battleground of ideologies. As the U.S. and Soviet Union vied for global influence, many countries in the region fell under military rule. These regimes, backed by the U.S., used anti-communist rhetoric to justify their power grab.

Military dictatorships in countries like Chile and Argentina crushed opposition with brutal force. They worked together through Operation Condor, sharing intelligence and carrying out cross-border assassinations. This dark period saw widespread human rights abuses and the suppression of democracy across Latin America.

Cold War and National Security Doctrine

Global Conflict and Ideological Struggle

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• Cold War context involved a global struggle between the capitalist United States and the communist Soviet Union that shaped political, economic, and social developments around the world, including in Latin America
• The two superpowers engaged in proxy wars, espionage, and an arms race, creating a tense international atmosphere and influencing foreign policy decisions of many countries
• Latin American nations were pressured to align with either the U.S. or the Soviet Union, leading to political polarization and ideological conflicts within these societies

National Security and Anti-Communist Policies

• National Security Doctrine emphasized the need for strong military control and the suppression of perceived threats to national stability, particularly communist or leftist movements
• This doctrine was adopted by many Latin American governments, often with the support or encouragement of the United States, as a means to maintain order and prevent the spread of communism
• Anti-communism became a central tenet of government policies, leading to the persecution, imprisonment, and even execution of individuals and groups suspected of having communist sympathies or affiliations
• The fear of communist influence was used to justify repressive measures, human rights abuses, and the concentration of power in the hands of military leaders (Augusto Pinochet in Chile, Jorge Rafael Videla in Argentina)

Military Coups and Dictatorships

Overthrow of Civilian Governments

• Coup d'état refers to the sudden, often violent overthrow of a government by a small group, typically members of the military or political elite
• In Latin America, numerous military coups occurred during the Cold War era, often with the backing or tacit approval of the United States, which viewed these actions as a means to prevent the spread of communism
• These coups led to the installation of military dictatorships that ruled with an iron fist, suppressing political opposition and civil liberties (Brazilian military government, 1964-1985)

Prominent Military Dictators

• Augusto Pinochet, an army general, led a military coup in Chile in 1973, overthrowing the democratically-elected socialist government of Salvador Allende
• Pinochet's regime was characterized by severe human rights abuses, including torture, forced disappearances, and the execution of political opponents
• Jorge Rafael Videla, a senior commander in the Argentine Army, played a key role in the 1976 Argentine coup d'état that established a military junta
• Under Videla's leadership, the Argentine military government engaged in a "Dirty War" against suspected leftists, resulting in the disappearance and death of thousands of citizens

Authoritarianism and Operation Condor

Repressive Governance and Human Rights Abuses

• Authoritarianism refers to a form of government characterized by strong central power, limited political freedoms, and the suppression of opposition
• The military dictatorships that emerged in Latin America during this period were highly authoritarian, restricting civil liberties, censoring the media, and using violence and intimidation to maintain control
• These regimes often targeted intellectuals, activists, and anyone perceived as a threat to their power, leading to widespread human rights abuses and creating a climate of fear and repression

International Collaboration in State Terror

• Operation Condor was a secret intelligence and operations program established in the 1970s by several South American military dictatorships, including Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay
• The program aimed to coordinate the sharing of intelligence, the tracking of political opponents across borders, and the carrying out of assassinations and disappearances
• Operation Condor allowed these repressive regimes to collaborate in their efforts to eliminate perceived threats and maintain their grip on power, resulting in the deaths and disappearances of thousands of individuals across the region
• The United States, particularly the CIA, was aware of and sometimes provided support for Operation Condor, viewing it as a means to combat the spread of communism in the region