ABSTRACT
The last thirty years have witnessed a slow but steady expansion in the Soviet Union’s interest, presence, and influence in Latin America. Cautious and opportunistic, the Soviet Union has employed a broad array of policy instruments in its relations with Latin America. The Soviet Union has clearly distinguished between different Latin American areas and subregions in its elaboration of strategy, in its emphasis on different instruments, and in its choice of tactics. Cuba and the Castro regime have a special place in Soviet strategy and policy. From the Soviet point of view, a silver lining has existed in this cloud and is found in the conflictual nature of the US relationship with Latin America. Central America and the Caribbean Basin have provided the other major reference points for Soviet policy.
