Kissinger's Legacy of Supporting Brutal Regimes Haunts Latin America

Decades Later, Distrust of U.S. Persists Due to Cold War Policies

Henry Kissinger, former U.S. secretary of state, is remembered in Latin America for his support of brutal regimes during the Cold War, leading to human rights abuses in the name of anti-communism.
Kissinger played a key role in undermining and weakening the socialist government of Salvador Allende in Chile, and then propped up the military dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet, who rose to power in a 1973 coup.
Despite his claims of ignorance, records show that Kissinger was aware of the human rights abuses committed in Latin America during his tenure.
In Argentina, Kissinger endorsed the brutal tactics of the military junta that rose to power in 1976, vowing to combat leftist 'subversives.'
The legacy of Kissinger's policies continues to impact U.S. relations with Latin America, with many countries still harboring a deep distrust of their powerful northern neighbor.