Latin America: In the Shadow of the US | Ep 2 Wars

"The 1980s bring revolutionary wars, CIA-backed conflict and the violent birth of a new democratic era. Episode 2: Wars begins with Nicaragua's Sandinista revolution, which promised egalitarian transformation through literacy crusades. But civil war erupted as United States President Ronald Reagan's administration covertly backed the Contra rebels, plunging the nation into turmoil and suffering. Panama transitioned from Omar Torrijos's diplomatic triumphs over the Panama Canal to Manuel Noriega's sinister collaboration with both the CIA and drug cartels."

"The murder of Hugo Spadafora sparked his brother's campaign to focus US public and political attention on Panama, ultimately leading to a US military invasion and Manuel Noriega's downfall. In Chile, the opposition achieved a dramatic popular victory, ending Augusto Pinochet's rule and igniting hope for democracy despite continued US influence. Meanwhile, Venezuela's oil-rich democracy flirted with collapse under President Carlos Andres Perez amid debt crises, curfews and riots that paved the way for Hugo Chavez's rise and a new wave of regional upheaval."

Nicaragua's Sandinista revolution sought egalitarian transformation through nationwide literacy crusades, but the Reagan administration covertly supported Contra rebels, triggering civil war, widespread violence, and social disruption. Panama shifted from Omar Torrijos's diplomatic successes over the Panama Canal to Manuel Noriega's collusion with the CIA and drug cartels, and the murder of Hugo Spadafora spurred a campaign that focused U.S. attention and culminated in a U.S. military invasion and Noriega's ouster. Chile's opposition secured a popular victory that ended Augusto Pinochet's rule and opened democratic hopes despite ongoing U.S. influence. Venezuela faced debt crises, curfews, and riots under Carlos Andrés Pérez, setting the stage for Hugo Chávez's rise.

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