Le elezioni presidenziali cilene del 1970 e la spoiling operation degli Stati Uniti

Abstract

The official entry of Latin America in the bipolar confrontation had given way to a real anti-Communist crusade in the region since the strong popular discontent, due to economic backwardness and political instability, offered the favorable humus to Communist infiltration in the Western Hemisphere.Thus, it was necessary to maintain a U.S. sphere of influence within the southern continent. The possibility, more and more concrete, that the Chilean presidential election of 1970 bring to power an avowed Marxist posed to the U.S. government one of the most serious challenges ever faced in this area. Therefore, concerned at the consequences that the victory of a socialist candidate could have on the American economic and political interests in Chile - in addition to serious geopolitical repercussions throughout the region -, the United States pledged to prevent such an eventuality. So, it was decided to finance a spoiling operation against the Popular Unity, the communists, socialists and left-wing elements coalition who supported Allende. To achieve this objective, the CIA resorted to covert operations and started an intensive propaganda campaign, relying on fear that an eventual victory of Allende was identified with violence and Stalinist repression. Despite these efforts, the U.S. "spoiling campaign" was not successful and the Socialist candidate Salvador Allende won the 1970 presidential election, although by a narrow margin