The Nixon presidency was plagued with the complexities the Cold War created both at home and abroad. Moreover, the Nixon administration did not give much importance to the developing countries found in Latin America. As firm believers of realpolitik, President Nixon and his right-hand man, Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, displayed an evident contempt for “Third World” countries and individuals [1]. Although they were quite knowledgeable in international politics, both were found to be narrow-minded in regard to regional problems that occurred in Latin America. Only showing interest when it compromised the United States and classified it as a “disaster”, President Nixon showed no true consideration for Latin America despite the long history present.[2] Regardless, one stressor did prevail in captivating instances of attention on Latin America: the imminent communist threat of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro. Correspondingly, the communist issue resulted in the Nixon presidency intervening in Chile in the early 1970s. For context, the Chilean government, headed by Eduardo Frei, perfectly aligned with American interests in the President Kennedy era. This resulted in intelligence agencies like the CIA channeling money to political contenders and implementing psychological operations to deter leftist movements in the 1960s. To the United States’ dismay and surprise, however, Dr. Salvador Allende, a fellow compatriot of Castro’s, garnered several votes in a 1970 three-way election.[3] Although the ultimate decision was reserved for the Chilean congress, the slight chance of Allende becoming president resulted in widespread concern back in Washington. Kissinger, who once labeled Chile as a “dagger pointed to the heart of Antarctica”, now had a reason to worry as concurrent issues like the Cuban missile crisis only exacerbated the likelihood of another communist regime. [4] |
To combat “the smell of democracy in decomposition”, the Nixon presidency approved a secretive operation to obstruct the Allende administration. Moreover, President Nixon designated a budget of $10 million to the CIA and prompted them to “make the economy scream". [5] In response, the CIA created a two-step initiative that consisted of formulating untrue scenarios that implied bribing was carried out in the legislative branch. This, in turn, would bring to question Allende’s abilities as president. The second facet involved the murder of Allende executing a military coup in Chile or the murder of Allende. [6] Nonetheless, the United States’ interventionism proved to be a massive failure as Salvador Allende was announced as president in October 1970. [7] Consequently, the Nixon presidency carried out psychological warfare and economic sanctions on the Allende government. Due to American corporations having a growing concern over Chile’s naturalization initiative, the United States withdrew its economic aid. Chile’s economy was further worsened by the “invisible” barrier that halted them from obtaining loans from the World Bank. [8] Civilian outcry and confusion were heightened through the dissemination of CIA-backed deception to subvert Allende’s capabilities. These covert tactics culminated in the 1973 Chilean coup and the contested murder or suicide of Salvador Allende.[9] Overall, no direct evidence has been materialized to demonstrate the United States was a contributor to the coup. One, however, cannot deny that American interception between 1970 and 1973 shaped the circumstances of the coup that occurred. [9] |
KEY PLAYERS
"The War On Democracy-Latin America", YouTube video, 1:34:00, posted by "Documentary Central" April 20, 2020.
Footnotes
[1] George C. Herring, From Colony to Superpower: U.S. Foreign Relations Since 1776 (New York: Oxford University Press, 2008), 785.
[2] Herring, 786.
[3] Herring, 786.
[4] Herring, 786.
[5] Herring, 787.
[6] Herring, 787.
[7] Herring, 787.
[8] Herring, 787.
[9] Herring, 788.
[1] George C. Herring, From Colony to Superpower: U.S. Foreign Relations Since 1776 (New York: Oxford University Press, 2008), 785.
[2] Herring, 786.
[3] Herring, 786.
[4] Herring, 786.
[5] Herring, 787.
[6] Herring, 787.
[7] Herring, 787.
[8] Herring, 787.
[9] Herring, 788.