ABSTRACT
The political history of Latin America since World War II has been characterized by bloody coups, popular revolutions, military dictatorships, and chronic economic instability. State terror has been practiced by the authorities to cow the impoverished masses and various left-wing movements have conducted terrorist campaigns. In the past, both the former Soviet Union and the United States provided funds and weapons to their clients, either to prop up a friendly regime or bring about the downfall of a hostile government.
