A Brief History of the U.S. in Central and South America
GUATEMALA
Before 1944, Guatemala was run by leaders who prioritized economic growth and granted large amounts of land to the U.S. and enforced labor exploitation. In 1954, president Jacobo Árbenz took unused land away from the U.S. to redistribute to landless peasants.
Upset by this, the U.S. CIA supported a military coup of the Guatemalan government. This resulted in a 36 year civil war in Guatemala (1960-1996).
This, among other conflicts, has resulted in high rates of Guatemalans migrating to the U.S. border where they are being met with racist anti-immigrant rhetoric.
EL SALVADOR
The Salvadorian Civil War (1979-1992) took place after a fraudulent president came to power and took civil liberties away from the people. The Salvadorian government was heavily backed by the US because of the two countries’ deep economic, military, and political ties.
The war displaced more than 1 million Salvadorans—roughly one-fifth of the population at the time. With nowhere to turn, they migrated to the U.S.
HONDURAS
During the Presidential election of 2017, there were massive polling irregularities in Honduras. While the Organization of American States (OAS) & the Honduran people argued that a re-vote was necessary, the U.S. recognized as the winner incumbent President Juan Orlando Hernandez.
This sparked political unrest & Hondurans migrating to the U.S., just to be deported back to the harmful conditions that they were attempting to flee.
VENEZUELA
The current president of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro Moros, claimed the title in 2019, despite global condemnation of a rigged election.
In an attempt to force Maduro out of office, the US barred oil purchases, froze government bank accounts, prohibited the country from issuing new debt, and seized tankers bound for Venezuela. This dirastically impacted the economy and the livelihood of all those living in Venezuela. Since 2020, 80-90% of households are living in poverty.
ARGENTINA
The Argentina dictatorship had been attempted to be overthrown multiple times between 1976 to 1984. Fearing the spread of communism across the Americas, the US offered Argentinian rightist military regimes counterinsurgency training, financial assistance, and intelligence briefings.
With U.S. support, Argentina’s junta kidnapped leftists, dissidents, union leaders and anyone who looked like a threat. Many fled these unsafe conditions.
WHAT’S THE TAKEAWAY?
As the current administration continues to push for deportation measures, it’s important to understand why certain people immigrated to the United States and the conditions they face in their home countries. People rarely leave their home and families for little to no reason, we all came to this country for a better life, but many were forced to leave because of foreign intervention and because they can no longer see a future in their home country.