Tensions Rise in Central America Nicaragua El Salvador Panama

The Roman Catholic Church embraces Liberation Theology

Liberation Theology in Latin America Prior to the 1960’s the Roman Catholic Church typically benefited from a close cooperation with the governments of Latin America. Often this meant overlooking significant abuses and poor human rights treatment of citizens. Liberation Theology changes that position and advocates freedom and improved rights for citizens. Advocating for their parishioners this uses the influence of the RCC to organize and push for reform.

Nicaragua 1979 - 1990 Communist Group called Sandinistas overthrow American supported, but corrupt Somoza Gov’t.

The Somoza Family Anastasio Somoza Family began rise to power in 1930’s Family ruled Nicaragua as their own personal fiefdom Somoza family controlled most energy businesses and farmland throughout the country By the 1960/70’s protest grew. Violence soared.

The Sandinista’s Despite being popularly elected to power, the U.S. fears that the Sandinistas are communists. Soviet Union begins to send supplies to Nicaragua Street sign in Managua in 1983 reads: Death to Yankee Imperialism!

Support from USSR Marx, Lenin and Soviet hammer and sickle and Sandinista rally in Managua. Soviets were hoping to get a “second Cuba” U.S. is angry

Sandinista troops deployed from a Soviet helicopter in 1989.

President Reagan supports Contras Anti-communist group Fights civil war against Sandinistas Funded by U.S. (U.S. Congress did not approve) “No more Vietnam’s”

1989 – Civil War ends Gobachev (USSR) stops funding Sandinistas Nicaragua holds democratic election Violeta Barrios de Chamorro becomes president

One perspective is:

El Salvador More corruption in America’s “backyard

U.S ignores El Salvador’s gov’t use of “Death Squads” to eliminate opposition

El Salvador’s anti-communist gov’t continues its repression

90% of country’s wealth is controlled by a few families that sell coffee to the U.S. Peasants are very poor

Click on photo Liberation Theology By 1960’s the popular Catholic Church begins to speak out against corruption. 1980 Bishop Oscar Romero is gunned down on altar by a gov’t death squad while saying mass Click on photo

FMLN, a once underground organization, opposed the U. S                                                       FMLN, a once underground organization, opposed the U.S. sponsored death squads and military dictatorship in El Salvador in the 80's. This poster was created to put a human face on the FMLN. Outrage in America U.S. Congress forces changes in foreign policy to end support in El Salvador Opposition to FMLN, which was thought to be communist is dropped Some improvement in human rights are gained

Panama The Drug Connection

Trained in the U.S in the 1960’s at Fort Benning, Ga. Became dictator of Panama during 1970’s Recruited by CIA to help spy on Soviet actions in Central America By 1980’s began making money laundering money for Columbian drug cartels 1989 – with USSR in collapse , Pres. Bush order his arrest

IH030533| Standard RM| © CORBIS Hercules Aircraft Over Panama A C-130E Hercules aircraft from the 934th Tactical Airlift Group, U.S. Air Force Reserve, flies over the coast while returning to Howard Air Force Base, Panama, during Operation Just Cause. January 1990.

Operation Just Cause December 1989 Army Rangers – 82nd Airborne Drop in to Panama Click on photo

Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega was jailed in the US in 1989 on drug trafficking charges. Extradited to Panama in 2011 for a 20 year prison term. The dictator The convict