Operation Condor

Operation Condor
source
Name	Operation Condor
Participants	Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay
Date	1975-1980
Location	South America

Operation Condor was a clandestine US-backed counterinsurgency campaign implemented by South American dictatorships to suppress and eliminate left-wing opposition groups, dissidents, and exiles. The campaign involved covert operations, assassinations, and forced disappearances carried out by intelligence agencies and military forces of participating countries, including Argentina's National Reorganization Process, Chile's Military dictatorship of Chile (1973-1990), and Uruguay's Civic-military dictatorship of Uruguay. Key figures involved in the campaign included Jorge Videla, Augusto Pinochet, and Juan María Bordaberry, who were influenced by the Cold War ideology and the US-backed Operation Gladio.

● Introduction

The origins of Operation Condor can be traced back to the Cold War era, when US President Richard Nixon and US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger supported the 1973 Chilean coup d'état led by Augusto Pinochet against the democratically elected government of Salvador Allende. This event marked the beginning of a wave of US-backed military coups in South America, including the 1976 Argentine coup led by Jorge Videla and the 1973 Uruguayan coup led by Juan María Bordaberry. The campaign was also influenced by the French counterinsurgency doctrine developed by Roger Trinquier and the US counterinsurgency strategy outlined in the US Army Field Manual 30-31B. Key organizations involved in the campaign included the CIA, DINA, and SIDE.

● Background

The Cold War context and the US foreign policy played a significant role in shaping the South American dictatorships' actions during Operation Condor. The US provided military aid and training to the participating countries, including Argentina's National Reorganization Process and Chile's Military dictatorship of Chile (1973-1990). The US also supported the Brazilian military dictatorship and the Paraguayan regime of Alfredo Stroessner. The campaign was also influenced by the ideology of anti-communism and the fear of left-wing insurgencies, as seen in the Cuban Revolution led by Fidel Castro and the Nicaraguan Revolution led by the Sandinista National Liberation Front. Key events that contributed to the campaign included the 1973 Chilean coup d'état, the 1976 Argentine coup, and the 1973 Uruguayan coup.

● Operations and Tactics

Operation Condor involved a range of covert operations, including assassinations, forced disappearances, and torture. The participating countries shared intelligence and coordinated their actions through a network of intelligence agencies, including DINA and SIDE. The campaign also involved the use of death squads, such as the Argentine Anticommunist Alliance and the Chilean death squad led by Stefano Delle Chiaie. Key targets of the campaign included left-wing opposition groups, such as the Montoneros and the People's Revolutionary Army, as well as dissidents and exiles, including Pablo Neruda and Isabel Allende. The campaign was also influenced by the US counterinsurgency strategy outlined in the US Army Field Manual 30-31B and the French counterinsurgency doctrine developed by Roger Trinquier.

● Countries Involved

The countries involved in Operation Condor included Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Each country had its own military dictatorship or authoritarian regime, and they shared a common goal of suppressing and eliminating left-wing opposition groups and dissidents. Key figures involved in the campaign included Jorge Videla, Augusto Pinochet, Juan María Bordaberry, and Alfredo Stroessner. The campaign was also influenced by the US foreign policy and the CIA's covert operations in South America, including the 1973 Chilean coup d'état and the 1976 Argentine coup.

● Aftermath and Legacy

The aftermath of Operation Condor was marked by a wave of human rights abuses and violations in the participating countries. The campaign resulted in the disappearance and death of thousands of people, including dissidents, exiles, and left-wing opposition groups. The campaign also had a profound impact on the politics and societies of the participating countries, contributing to a culture of fear and impunity. Key events that followed the campaign included the 1983 Argentine general election, the 1988 Chilean national plebiscite, and the 1989 Uruguayan general election. The campaign was also influenced by the US foreign policy and the CIA's covert operations in South America, including the Iran-Contra affair and the US involvement in the 1973 Chilean coup d'état.

● Investigations and Trials

In recent years, there have been several investigations and trials related to Operation Condor, including the 1992 Argentine trial of the Juntas and the 2005 Chilean indictment of Augusto Pinochet. The US Congress has also launched investigations into the US government's role in the campaign, including the Church Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Key figures who have been indicted or convicted in relation to the campaign include Jorge Videla, Augusto Pinochet, and Juan María Bordaberry. The campaign has also been the subject of several books and documentaries, including "The Condor Years" by John Dinges and "The Pinochet File" by Peter Kornbluh. Category:Counterinsurgency