Cuban Subversion: Shadow Over Latin America (1966)

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Latin America is currently undergoing a great social upheaval, and the resulting internal disorder, political instability, and seething discontent make it ripe for Communist exploitation. The establishment of a Communist regime in Cuba, with a dictator who is determined to spread his revolution throughout Latin America, presents a menace to the security of the United States and the entire Western Hemisphere. This thesis examines the nature and extent of the threat of Cuban subversion and the effectiveness of United States policy in countering it. As a result of a massive program of economic and military assistance by the Soviet Union, as well as acceptance of Fidel Castro’s leadership by the Moscow-oriented Communist Party leaders of Latin America, Cuba is today recognized as the headquarters and base for subversive activity throughout the Western Hemisphere. The techniques utilized include an extensive propaganda campaign; training of young Latin American Communists in subversive activities; infiltration of political, social, and economic movements within Latin American governments; and calculated acts of violence and terrorism, ranging from strikes, demonstrations, and riots to arson, bombings, kidnappings, assassinations, and executions. At first, the attitude of the United States toward Castro was one of guarded friendship and good will. As the true nature of his activities began to manifest themselves, however, the United States began to take measures to counter the threat. Initially, there was some fumbling, evidenced in particular by the debacle of the Bay of Pigs invasion. By its firm stand in the Soviet missile crisis of October 1962 the United States regained much of its prestige and gradually has been able to muster the support of the Organization of American States in its efforts to thwart Castro’s aims.