In the years between 1945 and 1990, many governments rose and fell in Latin America. The United States supported hostile takeovers in Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, Chile and Brazil. Also there was a terrible dictatorship in Argentina, which “disappeared” fore than 30,000 people. The majority were detained in concentration camps, but 13,000 were killed for their opposition to the government – a government that the United States supported. In El Salvador, the United States supported a military government throughout 13 years of civil war. This government committed massacres of thousands of innocent civilians, and used child soldiers and torture. More than 70,000 people were killed, and one fifth of the population ended up homeless.
It could be that the government of the United States had the intention of helping the people of these countries. Also, some of the groups that the United States opposed were truly despicable. Nevertheless, the socialist groups were right about some things, and they fought against real injustices.
These days, socialism continues being popular in much of Latin America, with various democratically elected governments. Venezuela has been an important leader in this. Hugo Chavez, the president who died in 2013, nationalized various industries, promising that he would eliminate poverty. But his government was also characterized by oppression, falsified elections and corruption. Chavez was a close friend of Fidel Castro.
In Nicaragua, the Sandinista Party was elected again, and the previous dictator, Daniel Ortega, continues with a more moderate form of socialism than what he had before. His friends on the National Assembly changed the constitution of the country so that Ortega could continue being president for more than two terms.
The Bolivian president, Evo Morales, is an Indian from the Aymara tribe, who has been very popular. He has reduced the national debt and poverty, eliminated illiteracy, and improved the cultural standing of the indigenous peoples. In addition, Morales has nationalized several important industries, and he is strongly anti-imperialist. Ecuador also has a socialist government, directed by Rafael Correa.
Another sentiment that often goes hand in hand with socialism is anti-Americanism. Many people are still angry because of the intervention of the United States in local affairs. It is not only military actions, but also economic manipulation and other forms of political pressure.
Nevertheless, the United States continues to be an important ally in regard to the economy, tourism, immigration, technology and financial assistance.
