Latin America and Aggression From the Cuban Revolution Through the Clinton Years: A Comprehensive Analysis

"Latin America and Aggression From the Cuban Revolution Through the Clinton Years" is an insightful and timely book that examines the complex and intertwined history of US aggression towards Latin America. The book, written by renowned historian and Latin Americanist William I. Robinson, provides a comprehensive analysis of US foreign policy in the region from the Cuban Revolution in 1959 to the end of the Clinton presidency in 2001.

Masters of War: Latin America and U.S. Agression From the Cuban Revolution Through the Clinton Years

by Clara Nieto

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Language	:	English
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Robinson argues that US aggression in Latin America has been a defining factor in the region's political and economic development. He traces the roots of US imperialism in Latin America back to the Monroe Doctrine of 1823, which declared the Americas a sphere of US influence. This doctrine, Robinson argues, has served as the ideological justification for a long history of US interventions in Latin America, from the Spanish-American War to the more recent Iraq War.

The Cuban Revolution and the Cold War

The Cuban Revolution of 1959 marked a turning point in US-Latin American relations. The successful overthrow of the US-backed Batista dictatorship by Fidel Castro and his followers sent shockwaves throughout the region and the world. The revolution also had a profound impact on US policy towards Latin America, leading to a significant increase in US aid and military assistance to anti-communist regimes in the region.

Robinson argues that the Cuban Revolution was a major catalyst for the Cold War in Latin America. The US government's fear of the spread of communism in the region led it to adopt a more aggressive and interventionist policy towards Latin America. This policy included the overthrow of democratically elected governments, the support of military dictatorships, and the use of covert operations to destabilize and undermine leftist movements.

US Aggression in the Clinton Years

The Clinton administration (1993-2001) marked a period of relative détente in US-Latin American relations. However, Clinton's policies towards the region were still shaped by the Cold War legacy. Clinton continued to support anti-communist regimes in the region, and he also launched a number of new initiatives aimed at promoting democracy and human rights in Latin America.

Robinson argues that Clinton's policies in Latin America were largely ineffective. Despite Clinton's stated commitment to democracy and human rights, he continued to support authoritarian regimes in the region, such as the Fujimori dictatorship in Peru. Clinton also failed to address the root causes of poverty and inequality in Latin America, which continue to plague the region today.

"Latin America and Aggression From the Cuban Revolution Through the Clinton Years" is a valuable contribution to the study of US foreign policy in Latin America. Robinson's book provides a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the historical roots and contemporary manifestations of US aggression in the region. The book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the complex and often tragic history of US-Latin American relations.

References

Robinson, W. I. (2009). Latin America and Aggression From the Cuban Revolution Through the Clinton Years. Stanford University Press.

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