ABSTRACT
"Latin Americanists" in the United States likewise argued that the Reagan Administration was putting inter-American relations at risk by its support of the United Kingdom. During the Falklands crisis, much was spoken and written about the reaction of "Latin America" to the hostilities and the dispute which led to them. The Falklands conflict, and Latin American reaction to it, both have their roots deep in the international history of the region; but they also reflect a number of significant contemporary developments. The major historical factors are linked to Latin America's colonial heritage, and the region's traditional relationship with the United States. A broadening of Latin American international relationships outside the western hemisphere was linked with new efforts to establish a regional identity in world affairs. In both the economic and political spheres the Bolivarian vision of a unified Latin America playing a significant role in world affairs has made little progress towards becoming a reality.
