A History Of Political Murder In Latin America: Killing The Messengers Of Change (suny Series In Global Modernity)

Contents 6 Preface and Acknowledgments 8 Map of Mexico and Central America 13 Map of South America 14 Key Terms and Acronyms by Country 16 Argentina 16 Bolivia 17 Brazil 17 Chile 18 Colombia 18 Cuba 19 Dominican Republic 19 El Salvador 20 Guatemala 20 Honduras 20 Mexico 21 Nicaragua 21 Panama 22 Paraguay 22 Peru 22 Uruguay 23 Introduction: A Political Culture of Murder 24 Part I: The Practice of Political Murder in Latin America 38 1 Targets and Victims 40 Revolutionaries and Former Guerrillas 42 Popular Politicians 46 Journalists, Academics, Intellectuals, Artists, and Teachers 48 Church Men and Women 52 Generals, Diplomats, Judges, and Lawyers 54 Human Rights Activists, Labor and Community Leaders, Students 56 Mass Slaughters 59 Words on the Lesser Tradition 61 2 Dirty War Mechanics 66 Precursors and Innovators 69 Direct Military Operations 72 Covert Military Death Squad Operations 78 Police Death Squads 82 Political Party Death Squads 87 Paramilitaries 90 Freelancers and Rogues 101 3 Bodies of the Slain 106 Dust to Dust 109 Ancient Traditions 111 Purposeful Displays 114 Torture, Mutilation, and Ideas 118 Questions of Disposal 124 Bodies as Witnesses 129 Part II: Justifications, Associations, and Consequences 134 4 Dirty Warriors on Dirty War 136 Bloody Class Struggle (And from the Top Down) 138 Justifications 142 Subversion as Disease 149 The Law: Co-Opted, Circumvented, and Ignored 152 National Security Doctrines 156 More Practice than Theory 161 5 International Collaborations and the Conflicted Roles of the United States 168 The American Empire 171 A Split Personality 177 The Agency Problem 182 Flight of the Condor 190 Exporting the Counter Revolution 194 6 The Enduring Appeal and Continuing Challenge of Political Murder in Latin America and Beyond 200 A Living Tradition of Death 201 Fear and Resistance 210 Practical Issues: Peace, Justice, and Impunity 215 Conclusions and Prospects 226 Appendix: Political Murder in Latin America: Individual Country Narratives 232 Argentina 233 Bolivia 238 Brazil 241 Chile 246 Colombia 248 Cuba 258 Dominican Republic 263 Ecuador 265 El Salvador 266 Guatemala 270 Honduras 275 Mexico 277 Nicaragua 281 Panama 285 Paraguay 287 Peru 289 Uruguay 294 Notes 296 Bibliography 328 General Works on Political Violence, Murder, Genocide, Assassination, Culture, and the Human Body 328 Political Violence and Murder in Latin America as a Region 332 Argentina 336 Bolivia 341 Brazil 341 Chile 342 Colombia 343 Cuba/Panama/Ecuador 347 Dominican Republic 348 El Salvador 349 Guatemala 350 Honduras 352 Mexico 352 Nicaragua 355 Paraguay 356 Peru 357 Uruguay 358 Index 360 This expansive history depicts Latin America's pan-regional culture of political murder. Unlike typical studies of the region, which often focus on the issues or trends of individual countries, this work focuses thematically on the nature of political murder itself, comparing and contrasting its uses and practices throughout the region. W. John Green examines the entire system of political murder: the methods and justifications the perpetrators employ, the victims, and the consequences for Latin American societies. Green demonstrates that elite and state actors have been responsible for most political murders, assassinating the leaders of popular movements and other messengers of change. Latin American elites have also often targeted the potential audience for these messages through the region's various "dirty wars." In spite of regional differences, elites across the region have displayed considerable uniformity in justifying their use of murder, imagining themselves in a class war with democratic forces. While the United States has often been complicit in such violence. Green notes that this has not been universally true, with US support waxing and waning. A detailed appendix, exploring political murder country by country, provides an additional resource for readers. Book jacket Introduction: A Political Culture Of Murder -- Key Terms And Acronyms By Country -- Part One. The Practice Of Political Murder In Latin America -- Targets And Victims -- Dirty War Mechanics -- Bodies Of The Slain -- Part Two. Justifications, Associations, And Consequences -- Dirty Warriors On Dirty War -- International Collaborations And The Conflicted Roles Of The United States -- The Enduring Appeal And Continuing Challenge Of Political Murder In Latin America And Beyond -- Appendix: Political Murder In Latin America : Individual Country Narratives. W. John Green. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.