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    Latin America politics: UK's 1960s covert activity revealed Archived Message

    Posted by Tomski on December 11, 2020, 12:37 pm

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-55230503

    British intelligence engaged in a far more active programme of covert activity in Latin America in the 1960s than previously understood, it has been claimed.

    While the work of US intelligence in the region has been widely publicised, the UK role is much less known.

    But Prof Rory Cormac of the University of Nottingham says recently declassified files reveal attempts to influence elections and disrupt trade unions in a number of countries.

    At the start of the 1960s, the UK dramatically increased covert action in Latin America, undertaking what was called "special political action", including propaganda and forgeries which aimed to influence the public, primarily against communism.

    "This is surprising because historians tend to associate UK covert operations with targets in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, and assume that the British left Latin America to the CIA," Prof Cormac told the BBC.

    'Black propaganda'
    After a diplomat named Ronnie Burroughs visited Latin America on behalf of the British Foreign Office and MI6 in 1961, a decision was taken in London to increase covert action - activities where the role of Britain was kept hidden with a particular focus on "black" propaganda, which involves false material or where people are deliberately misled about who is producing it.

    The region was seen as of growing importance globally but also with signs of increasing communist influence, especially after the Cuban revolution.

    The region had not been a particular focus for London and its ally, Washington, normally took the lead, considering it part of his "sphere of influence". The US was still far more active but the UK, Prof Cormac says, became involved partly as a means of currying influence with America and also to increase trade in the region.

    Etc.

    Message Thread:

    • Latin America politics: UK's 1960s covert activity revealed - Tomski December 11, 2020, 12:37 pm