Transcript Latin America as Battleground

LATIN AMERICA AS
BATTLEGROUND
Introduction: What To Do?
• National goals: sovereignty and flexibility
• Political interests: survival in power,
weakening of rivals
Strategic Options: The Menu of Responses
1. Reformist: seeking U.S. aid
2. Radical: supporting revolution
3. Reactionary: joining the anti-communist crusade
4. “Non-aligned”: promoting Third World solidarity
John F. Kennedy, 1962
Eduardo Frei Montalva (1964-70)
Salvador Allende Gossens (1970-73)
Ernesto “Che” Guevara
Fidel Castro Ruz, ca. 1979
The Cold War: Consequences for Latin America
1. Polarization, weakening of political center
2. Ascendancy of right-wing forces
3. Assaults upon the political left
4. Transitions toward democracy
5. Acknowledgement of U.S. hegemony