IndexSources. Thesis statement.Beginning: the buildup of tension.One of the darkest periods of Latin America: birthplace and implementation of Operation Condor.Proof of US involvement: removing the seal of secrecy from the past.ConclusionBibliographyOperation Condor is the code name of an information sharing apparatus between governments of the following South American states: Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil (to which were later added Peru and Ecuador, with a less significant role). This network was operational in the second half of the 1970s and targeted communist subversion: it hunted down, kidnapped and murdered political dissidents, suspected guerrilla leaders and critics of the regime.1 Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get original essay sources. Thesis statement. Reconstructing the events surrounding Operation Condor is a challenging task for a few reasons. First, senior officials in Latin America and the United States are reluctant to discuss the Operation or even deny its mere existence. Second, survivors understandably refuse to testify because that would mean revisiting the trauma. Finally, the US government reluctantly and selectively released declassified files. The United States has played a central role in fomenting state-sponsored terrorism in Latin America under the banner of anti-communism and in the name of “security.” The United States financed Operation Condor, as well as organized and trained the military and intelligence forces of the participating countries, modernizing and professionalizing them. Onset: the accumulation of tension. Concerned about history repeating itself (having another “Cuba” in its “backyard”), the United States began to overthrow democratic regimes in Latin America. A series of US-orchestrated power grabs between the 1950s and 1970s laid a solid foundation for the emergence of the terrorist military campaign, of which Operation Condor was the culmination: General Alfredo Stroessner took power in Paraguay in 1954; the Brazilian army overthrew the government of Joao Goulart in 1964; General Hugo Banzer overthrew President Juan Jose Torres in Bolivia in 1971; Augusto Pinochet overthrew President Allende in 1973; General Jorge Rafael Videla took power in Argentina in 1976.2 At the height of the Cold War, communist threats became the most pressing issue for American foreign policymakers. As a result, the motivation to establish policies to maintain the US sphere of influence in Latin America has become the highest priority. The position of the United States is precisely expressed by the American diplomat and historian George F. Kennan: “it is better to have a strong regime in power than a liberal one if it is lenient, relaxed and dominated by communists”.1 One of the darkest periods of the Latin America: Birthplace and implementation of Operation Condor. It is logical to begin the analysis of the motivations of Operation Condor with its place of birth - Chile. The ruthless silence of the opposition, which involved kidnappings, torture and executions, began after the military coup of Augusto Pinochet of 1973 against the democratically elected socialist president Salvador Allende. The Nixon administration had helped sabotage AllendeZanchetta, Barbara. 2016. “Between Cold War Imperatives and State-Sponsored Terrorism: The United States and Operation Condor.” Conflict and Terrorism Studies 39(12): 1084–1102. doi:10.1080/1057610X.2016.1159069.McSherry, J. Patrice. 2005. Predatory States: Operation Condor and Secret War in Latin America. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.(forced the Chilean economy into bankruptcy) and then supported Pinochet as he dissolved parliament and launched a cruel campaign against anyone who rejected right-wing dictatorial regimes. The operation was hatched at a secret 1975 meeting of the intelligence chiefs of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay in Santiago, Chile. Member states coordinated mutual political surveillance and exchange of intelligence information, organized cross-border operations to interrogate , torture and disappear dissidents and created assassination squads around the world. By the time Operation Condor ended in the early 1980s, around 60,000 people may have been killed.5Proof of US involvement: Removing the stamp of secrecy from the past.Declassified US State Department files have provided evidence of large scope of the operation and revealed that the United States not only knew of its existence and did nothing to stop it, but also provided organizational and physical support to the countries participating in the program. Some of the most compelling findings are: Tens of thousands of Latin American officers were trained at the School of Americas (a U.S. Army facility), which served a central continental anti-communist base and used the infamous torture manuals to plan operations; the CIA provided suspect lists and other intelligence information to participating states. The FBI searched the United States for individuals wanted by the DINA (Directorate of National Intelligence) – Chile's secret police; cables from then-Secretary of State Henry Kissinger reveal that in 1976 Kissinger was informed of the operation and ordered his ambassadors not to confront military governments about the killings and torture – and thus, the only chance to stop the terror was intentionally lost; the revealed collaboration between the CIA and DINA chief Manuel Contreras, who was a paid CIA contact until 1977. Rhymes, Edward. 2017. “Operation Condor: United States, Latin America Massacres, Torture Program.” teleSUR.ConclusionIn conclusion, Operation Condor represents a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of state-sponsored terrorism in Latin America during the Cold War era. Orchestrated under the guise of anti-communism, this clandestine intelligence-sharing apparatus has led to the kidnapping, torture and murder of political dissidents, leaving a trail of trauma and suffering across the region. The complicity of the United States in supporting and financing Operation Condor highlights the ethical dilemmas and moral responsibilities of powerful nations in shaping global affairs. Despite efforts to hide its existence and minimize its significance, Operation Condor has left an indelible mark on the collective memory of Latin American societies. The declassification of US government documents has shed light on the extent of American involvement in perpetuating state-sponsored terrorism, raising important questions about accountability and justice. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay As we reflect on the legacy of Operation Condor, it is imperative that we recognize the lasting impact of this dark chapter in history and fight for transparency, truth, and reconciliation. By facing the painful truths of the past and holding accountable atrocities committed in the name of national security, we can work toward a more just and peaceful future for all. Bibliography Central Intelligence Agency. 2000. “CIA Activities in Chile: Relationship with Contreras.” https://www.cia.gov/library/reports/general-reports-1/chile/#21Kornbluh,.2016.1159069.