Allende’s Chile and the Inter-American Cold War is one of the most important books I have ever read about American foreign policy. If you want to gain a real understanding of America’s imperialism, lack of commitment to democracy, and its support of coups, Allende’s Chile and the Inter-American Cold War is for you. Given what is happening in Venezuela today, this book is an especially useful read.
In Allende’s Chile and the Inter-American Cold War, Tanya Harmer walks us through the Nixon administration’s response to the people of Chile electing Salvador Allende, a socialist, president in 1970. Using documents declassified decades after America’s intrusion into another countries election and government, Harmer illustrates the failed CIA-sponsored coup in 1970 that resulted in the assassination of General Rene Schneider, the leader of Chile’s military. Harmer also details cash payments and other supports made by the CIA to Chilean political parties that opposed Allende. And we are so angry about Russian Facebook posts and tweets?
On September 11th 1973, a military coup supported by the CIA overthrew Allende’s government. Today, there are questions as to whether Allende, committed to nonviolence, took his own life or if he was murdered.
If you are predisposed to disbelieve the idea that America worked to overthrow a democratically-elected government, here is information about the US involvement from the CIA. Here is an extensive review of the CIA’s activities in Chile authored by the CIA. Obviously, the CIA wants to spin things in the best possible light. Still, the information offered by the CIA paints a damning picture of US interference in Chile.
The dictator who replaced Allende and received CIA support was Augusto Pinochet. Over the next 17 years, Pinochet led a campaign of terror that resulted in thousands of government-committed murders and even more kidnappings.