Archive · 4 Jan 2026
US History of Latin America Interventions
The United States has a long history of getting involved in Latin American countries.
They have supported coups, sent troops, and helped dictators to stop communism and protect American businesses.
Some of these actions were very violent and caused many deaths.
The US has admitted to some of these actions, like the 1954 coup in Guatemala.
Other times, they supported dictators who hurt their own people.
These events happened mostly during the Cold War, when the US and Soviet Union were fighting for influence around the world.
Some people think these actions were wrong, while others believe they were necessary to stop communism.
The US has a history of military interventions and supporting dictatorships in Latin America since the Cold War.
Notable interventions include the 1954 coup in Guatemala, the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba, and the 1989 invasion of Panama.
The US supported military dictatorships in South America during the 1970s, including Augusto Pinochet in Chile and the Argentine junta.
In the 1980s, the US was involved in civil wars in Nicaragua and El Salvador, supporting anti-communist forces.
The US intervened in Grenada in 1983 to protect citizens and overthrow a far-left junta.
- Who
- United States government and CIA
- What
- Military interventions and support for dictatorships in Latin America
- When
- Since the Cold War, with notable events in 1954, 1961, 1965, 1970s, 1980s, 1983, and 1989
- Where
- Latin America, including Guatemala, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Chile, Argentina, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Grenada, and Panama
- Why
- To combat communism, protect US interests, and support anti-communist regimes
- 1954 Guatemala Coup
- CIA-backed coup against President Jacobo Arbenz Guzman
- 1961 Bay of Pigs
- Failed CIA-backed invasion of Cuba
- 1965 Dominican Republic
- US intervention to crush leftist uprising
- 1970s Dictatorships
- US support for military dictatorships in South America
- 1980s Central America
- US involvement in Nicaraguan and Salvadoran civil wars
- 1983 Grenada
- US intervention to protect citizens and overthrow junta
- 1989 Panama
- US invasion to capture General Manuel Noriega
