THE MORALITY OF COVERT OPERATIONS
Truly, Operation Condor was destined for a different turnout had Robert Scherrer not transmitted critical insight to the United States about the impending rise of the military regimes in Latin America. After finishing his duty as legal attache to Buenos Aires, Scherrer discussed his crucial participation in the FBI investigation of the Letelier assasination. Moreover, he viewed the Paraguay jailings of the JCR operatives as a vivid showcase of intelligence communities cooperating against terroristic schemes that were distinctly characterized by the progression of Operation Condor.[1] Furthermore, Scherrer explained the harsh tactics the Paraguayan police used to induce confessions. Scherrer, however, omitted that he was informed of the inquiry of Fuentes and Santucho through General Baeza, his Chilean informant. Precisely, he discussed that the military governments in Latin America deemed the United States a safe place for terrorists under the pretense of advocacy for human rights. Scherrer also denoted that Fuentes’ and Santucho’s capture paved the way for locating Ilich Ramírez Sánchez, a notorious terrorist, that was hiding out in Europe. [2]
Robert Scherrer, who passed away in 1995, was venerated for his tremendous contributions to the FBI prior to his death. Through the Letelier-Moffitt Memorial Awards and the Institute for Policy Studies, Scherrer was given the award by Isabel Letelier in 1989. Known for his immense knowledge of Latin American dynamics, he was incredibly devoted to his work and being a human rights advocate. This could be seen by his courageous act of keeping Jewish Argentines safe at the peak of the fascist regime. Saul Landau, an American journalist, said that Scherrer embodied the “model of a policeman and intelligence agent". [3] Notwithstanding, it is imperative to point out Scherrer’s involvement in the supposed violations of American aviation regulations and practices by LAN Chile Airlines in 1980.
This resulted in the interrogation of his knowledge of the murders of Orlando Letelier and Ronnie Moffitt in Washington, D.C. in 1976. Specifically, Congress sought to figure out the nature of the explosive contraptions that killed Letelier, the failure of the State Department in handling terrorism threats, and future actions to tackle the issues at hand within the intelligence community. In turn, Scherrer responded that he carried out checks on the I-94 prior to Letelier’s murder as well that no immigration records existed of Hans Petersen Silva, the individual responsible for his death. Through this interrogation, Scherrer absolved himself of any possible guilty involvement in Letelier’s demise.[4]
In essence, Robert Scherrer executed fundamental tasks for the American intelligence community as an FBI agent. Through his various acts of espionage, he created distinctions for instances of political suppression and military regimes should be handled when they encroach on American security. Simultaneously, however, Scherrer’s involvement in Operation Condor shed light on the atrocities the United States is willing to commit for the sake of United States hegemony in the Western hemisphere. Therefore, one must question the legitimacy of presidential administrations advocating for human rights prevention considering the horrors of Operation Condor.
Robert Scherrer, who passed away in 1995, was venerated for his tremendous contributions to the FBI prior to his death. Through the Letelier-Moffitt Memorial Awards and the Institute for Policy Studies, Scherrer was given the award by Isabel Letelier in 1989. Known for his immense knowledge of Latin American dynamics, he was incredibly devoted to his work and being a human rights advocate. This could be seen by his courageous act of keeping Jewish Argentines safe at the peak of the fascist regime. Saul Landau, an American journalist, said that Scherrer embodied the “model of a policeman and intelligence agent". [3] Notwithstanding, it is imperative to point out Scherrer’s involvement in the supposed violations of American aviation regulations and practices by LAN Chile Airlines in 1980.
This resulted in the interrogation of his knowledge of the murders of Orlando Letelier and Ronnie Moffitt in Washington, D.C. in 1976. Specifically, Congress sought to figure out the nature of the explosive contraptions that killed Letelier, the failure of the State Department in handling terrorism threats, and future actions to tackle the issues at hand within the intelligence community. In turn, Scherrer responded that he carried out checks on the I-94 prior to Letelier’s murder as well that no immigration records existed of Hans Petersen Silva, the individual responsible for his death. Through this interrogation, Scherrer absolved himself of any possible guilty involvement in Letelier’s demise.[4]
In essence, Robert Scherrer executed fundamental tasks for the American intelligence community as an FBI agent. Through his various acts of espionage, he created distinctions for instances of political suppression and military regimes should be handled when they encroach on American security. Simultaneously, however, Scherrer’s involvement in Operation Condor shed light on the atrocities the United States is willing to commit for the sake of United States hegemony in the Western hemisphere. Therefore, one must question the legitimacy of presidential administrations advocating for human rights prevention considering the horrors of Operation Condor.
Footnotes
[1] John, Dinges. The Condor Years : How Pinochet and His Allies Brought Terrorism to Three Continents,( New York: New Press, 2004, 92.
[2] Dinges, 93.
[3] MARY, McGRORY. "The Two Sides of the FBI." Boston Globe (1960-), Sep 24, 1989. https://envoy.dickinson.edu/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com%2Fhistorical-newspapers%2Ftwo-sides-fbi%2Fdocview%2F2444911128%2Fse-2%3Faccountid%3D10506.
[4] United States. Congress. House. Committee on Government Operations. Government Activities and Transportation Subcommittee. Alleged violations of U.S. aviation laws and regulations by LAN Chile Airlines : hearing before a subcommittee of the Committee on Government Operations, House of Representatives, Ninety-sixth Congress, second session, May 9, 1980. 1980 [i.e. 1981]. Retrieved from the Digital Public Library of America, http://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/002755369. (Accessed April 21, 2022.)
[1] John, Dinges. The Condor Years : How Pinochet and His Allies Brought Terrorism to Three Continents,( New York: New Press, 2004, 92.
[2] Dinges, 93.
[3] MARY, McGRORY. "The Two Sides of the FBI." Boston Globe (1960-), Sep 24, 1989. https://envoy.dickinson.edu/login?qurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.proquest.com%2Fhistorical-newspapers%2Ftwo-sides-fbi%2Fdocview%2F2444911128%2Fse-2%3Faccountid%3D10506.
[4] United States. Congress. House. Committee on Government Operations. Government Activities and Transportation Subcommittee. Alleged violations of U.S. aviation laws and regulations by LAN Chile Airlines : hearing before a subcommittee of the Committee on Government Operations, House of Representatives, Ninety-sixth Congress, second session, May 9, 1980. 1980 [i.e. 1981]. Retrieved from the Digital Public Library of America, http://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/002755369. (Accessed April 21, 2022.)