STEPHEN G. RABE, The Killing Zone: The United States Wages Cold War in Latin America

Abstract

The Killing Zone: The United States Wages Cold War in Latin America is a comprehensive yet concise analysis of U.S. policies in Latin America during the Cold War. Author Stephen G. Rabe, a leading authority in the field, argues that the sense of joy and accomplishment that accompanied the end of the Cold War, the liberation of Eastern Europe, and the collapse of the Soviet Union must be tempered by the realization that Latin Americans paid a ghastly price during the Cold War. Dictatorship, authoritarianism, the methodical abuse of human rights, and campaigns of state terrorism characterized life in Latin America between 1945 and 1989. Countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, El Salvador, and Guatemala endured appalling levels of political violence. The U.S. repeatedly intervened in the internal affairs of Latin American nations in the name of anticommunism, destabilizing constitutional governments and aiding and abetting those who murdered and tortured.--Publisher information. Roots of Cold War interventions -- The Kennan Corollary -- Guatemala : the mother of interventions -- War against Cuba -- No more Cubas : the Kennedy and Johnson doctrines -- Military dictators : Cold War allies -- Cold War horrors : Central America.