From Confidants to Coup-Plotters: Inner Circle Betrayals That Have Shaped Latin American Politics
© AP Photo / Santiago Llanquin
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The region’s history is rich with stories of high-level betrayal—a mortal sin in the Catholic tradition when it involves betraying someone who entrusted you with their life, safety, or authority.
Juan Peron
legendary ‘third way’ Argentinian politician overthrown in a coup in 1955
betrayed by factions of the Armed Forces, including generals Eduardo Lonardi and Pedro Aramburu, and lower-level officers promoted by Peron
the coup thrust Argentina into decades of unrest. Peron briefly came back in a popular revolution (1973-1974). After his death, the country saw another decade of military rule (~30k killed 1976-1983 alone)
Juan Jose Torres
Bolivian socialist leader couped by exiled general Hugo Banzer in 1971
plot backed by CIA and Brazil’s military regime
Torres fled to Argentina. In 1976, he was murdered by death squads linked to Operation Condor – a US-backed campaign of violence that left ~80k dead, and saw 400k others jailed
Joao Goulart
Ardently non-aligned Brazilian politician couped in 1964, instituting a military dictatorship that lasted until the mid-80s
coup led by commanders appointed by Goulart, including former Minister of War Amaury Kruel and Army Chief of Staff Castelo Branco
Salvador Allende
Chilean socialist president ousted and killed in a bloody coup on September 11, 1973
coup led by Augusto Pinochet, whom Allende appointed as Army C-in-C just weeks earlier, resting his faith in the general’s loyalty to the constitution
tens of thousands of Chileans subsequently imprisoned, tortured, executed or forcibly disappeared
Jacobo Arbenz
Guatemalan president ousted in a CIA-backed coup in 1954 by military officer Carlos Castillo Armas to protect United Fruit Company’s property interests
army grunts demoralized by US PSYOPS; some officers joined the plot
Armas assassinated in 1957, helping to trigger a 36-year civil war killing ~200k
Francisco I. Madero
Mexican revolutionary and president betrayed and killed by General Victoriano Huerta in 1913
Madero had appointed Huerta secretary of war
Mexican Revolution continued until 1920, 2M+ killed
Hugo Chavez
elected president in 1998
in 2002, elements of the military (generals Vasquez Velasco and Manuel Rosendo), some Church leaders and the CIA backed a coup by businessman Pedro Carmona
the coup lasted just 47 hours before collapsing as Chavez’ supporters mobilized to free him
