1. Tensions Rise in Central America
Nicaragua
El Salvador
Panama

3. The Roman Catholic Church embraces Liberation Theology

4. 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.

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

6. 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.

7. 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!

8. 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

9. Sandinista troops deployed from a Soviet helicopter in 1989.

10. 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”

11. 1989 – Civil War ends Gobachev (USSR) stops funding Sandinistas
Nicaragua holds democratic election
Violeta Barrios de Chamorro becomes president

12. One perspective is:

14. El Salvador
More corruption in America’s “backyard

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

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

17. 90% of country’s wealth is controlled by a few families that sell coffee to the U.S.
Peasants are very poor

18. 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

19. 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

20. Panama
The Drug Connection

21. 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

22. 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.

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

24. 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