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Cutting Off the Dictator: The United States Arms Embargo of the Pinochet Regime, 1974–1988

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 August 2013

JOHN R. BAWDEN
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Abstract

In 1976, the US Congress halted arms sales to Chile. This paper examines the congressional debate over arms sales to Chile and the political and military consequences of the action. Recent scholarship has largely overlooked the embargo and its implications for regional security dynamics in South America. Initially US sanctions increased Chile's diplomatic isolation and military vulnerability, which made regional conflict more likely. However, Chile's ability to surmount the effects of the embargo eventually increased Augusto Pinochet's independence vis-à-vis Washington. When the Reagan administration began pushing for a transition to democracy, it lacked two key instruments for influencing a military government: weapons sales and security assistance.

Spanish abstract

En 1976 el Congreso de los Estados Unidos detuvo la venta de armas a Chile. Este artículo examina el debate en el Congreso sobre la venta de armas a Chile y las consecuencias políticas y militares de tal acción. Los estudios recientes en gran medida han desestimado el embargo y sus implicaciones para las dinámicas de seguridad regional en Sudamérica. Inicialmente, las sanciones norteamericanas incrementaron el aislamiento diplomático de Chile y su vulnerabilidad militar, lo que elevaba las posibilidades de un conflicto regional. Sin embargo, la capacidad de Chile para superar los efectos del embargo incrementaría con el tiempo la independencia de Augusto Pinochet frente a Washington. Cuando la administración Reagan empezó a presionar para una transición a la democracia, le faltaron dos instrumentos clave para influir sobre el gobierno militar: la venta de armas y la asistencia para seguridad.

Portuguese abstract

Em 1976 o congresso dos Estados Unidos encerrou as vendas de armamentos ao Chile. Este artigo analisa o debate no congresso acerca da venda de armas ao Chile e as consequências políticas e militares desta ação. Estudos recentes têm em grande parte ignorado o embargo e suas implicações sobre as dinâmicas regionais de segurança na América do Sul. Inicialmente, sanções americanas aumentaram o isolamento diplomático e vulnerabilidade militar chilena, tornando um conflito regional mais provável de acontecer. No entanto, a capacidade do Chile em superar os efeitos do embargo eventualmente aumentou a independência de Augusto Pinochet perante Washington. Quando a administração Reagan começou a incentivar uma transição para a democracia, faltaram-na dois instrumentos-chave para influenciar um governo militar: vendas de armamentos e assistência à segurança.

Keywords

US–Latin American relationsPinochetCold Wararms salesChilerelaciones Estados Unidos–LatinoaméricaPinochetGuerra Fríaventa de armasChilerelações EUA–América LatinaPinochetGuerra Friavendas de armamentosChile
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Latin American Studies , Volume 45 , Issue 3 , August 2013 , pp. 513 - 543
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

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References

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