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The Forgotten Wars of Latin America: A Comprehensive Overview of Armed Conflicts from 1948 to 1982

Dwight Bell

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Published in Wars Of Latin America 1948 1982: The Rise Of The Guerrillas

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The post-World War II era witnessed a wave of armed conflicts in Latin America, largely overshadowed by the Cold War's global power struggle. These regional wars, often rooted in political instability, economic inequality, and Cold War proxy conflicts, left a lasting imprint on the continent's history and development.

The Costa Rican Civil War (1948)

Costa Rican Civil War Wars Of Latin America 1948 1982: The Rise Of The Guerrillas

Wars of Latin America 1948 1982: The Rise of the Guerrillas

The Costa Rican Civil War was a brief but bloody conflict that erupted in 1948 after a disputed presidential election. The rebellion was led by former President José Figueres Ferrer and his National Liberation Army against the government of President Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia. The war lasted for seven weeks and resulted in an estimated 2,000 casualties. Figueres and his supporters emerged victorious, ushering in a period of social and economic reforms.

The Guatemalan Civil War (1960-1996)

Guatemalan Civil War Wars Of Latin America 1948 1982: The Rise Of The Guerrillas — Guatemalan Civil War, 1960-1996

The Guatemalan Civil War was one of the longest and deadliest conflicts in Latin American history. The war pitted the Guatemalan government and military against leftist guerrilla movements, primarily the Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity (URNG). The conflict was rooted in deep social, political, and economic inequalities, exacerbated by Cold War rivalry and US intervention. The war resulted in an estimated 200,000 deaths, mainly civilians targeted by state-sponsored violence and massacres.

The Salvadoran Civil War (1979-1992)

Salvadoran Civil War Wars Of Latin America 1948 1982: The Rise Of The Guerrillas

The Salvadoran Civil War was another protracted and bloody conflict, fueled by political repression, economic inequality, and the Cold War. The war pitted the US-backed Salvadoran government and military against the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN),a coalition of leftist guerrilla groups. The war resulted in an estimated 75,000 deaths and widespread human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings and disappearances.

The Nicaraguan Revolution (1978-1979)

Nicaraguan Revolution Wars Of Latin America 1948 1982: The Rise Of The Guerrillas — Nicaraguan Revolution, 1978-1979

The Nicaraguan Revolution was a popular uprising that led to the overthrow of the Somoza dictatorship. The revolution was led by the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN),a left-wing guerrilla movement. The revolution was successful due to its broad-based support among the Nicaraguan people, who had endured decades of oppression and corruption under the Somoza family regime. The revolution resulted in the establishment of a socialist government, which implemented a number of social and economic reforms.

The Sandinista-Contras War (1981-1990)

Sandinista Contras War Wars Of Latin America 1948 1982: The Rise Of The Guerrillas

The Sandinista-Contras War was a proxy conflict that developed after the Nicaraguan Revolution. The US government, fearing the spread of communism in Central America, provided support to the Contras, a rebel group composed of former members of the National Guard and other anti-Sandinista forces. The war resulted in an estimated 30,000 deaths and significant economic damage to Nicaragua. The war ended in 1990 with a ceasefire and the departure of the Contras.

The Wars of Latin America from 1948 to 1982 were complex and multifaceted conflicts that reshaped the political, social, and economic landscapes of the region. While often overshadowed by global events, these wars had a profound impact on the lives of millions of people and the trajectory of Latin American history. Understanding these conflicts is crucial for grasping the challenges and complexities facing Latin America in the 21st century.

Wars of Latin America, 1948-1982: The Rise of the Guerrillas

by Keri Kruspe

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