Illegal Killings in Latin America, 1975-2000
The last quarter of the 20th century (roughly 1975–2000) was not a good one for many Latin Americans. Numerous governments in South and Central America were responsible for widespread illegal killings, often tied to state repression, civil wars, military dictatorships, and counterinsurgency operations. The number of estimated victims varies by country and source, but I’ve made a summary of some of the most significant cases, based on major truth commissions, historical research, and human rights organizations, and I’ve included both deaths and disappearances since they are usually the same.
In Guatemala, the estimated deaths and disappearances totalled 140,000–200,000. Most of these happened during the civil war of 1960–1996, and the UN-backed Historical Clarification Commission attributed 93% of atrocities to state forces.
In El Salvador, the estimated deaths or disappearances were 75,000. These occurred mainly during the civil war of 1980–1992. The UN Truth Commission for El Salvador found the military and death squads responsible for the majority of violations.
In Peru, the estimated deaths or disappearances came to 69,000, mostly from the internal conflict of 1980–2000 between government forces and the Shining Path and MRTA. The Peruvian Truth and Reconciliation Commission blamed both state and insurgent groups.
In Nicaragua, the total was 30,000–50,000, including victims of the Somoza dictatorship before 1979, and the Sandinista-Contra conflict of the 1980s.
In, Argentina the estimated number of those killed or disappeared was 10,000–30,000 during the Dirty War of 1976–1983 under military dictatorship. The victims were political dissidents, students, and union members. Known as the ‘desaparecidos,’ the disappeared ones, many were thrown out of helicopters over the South Atlantic, leaving no bodies to be traced. The killings lasted until the Junta was overthrown following the UK’s victory in the Falklands.
In Chile, the estimated deaths and disappearances under the Pinochet regime of 1973–1990 came to 3,000–5,000. They were believed to be mostly supporters of the ousted Marxist President, Salvador Allende, and opponents of the Pinochet regime that replaced him in 1973.
On the brighter side if you can call it that, were the countries whose death and disappearance toll was under 1,000. These included Uruguay and Paraguay. Illegal deaths in Honduras have been estimated at hundreds to low thousands. But even with these relatively low numbers came torture and repression in most places
The total estimated deaths and disappearances across the region between 1975 and 2000, roughly 400,000–500,000, depending on sources and whether civilian war deaths and guerrilla killings are included.
Although Pinochet in Chile is singled out by many as deserving of particular abomination because he prevented Chile from going Communist, there were many others far, far worse. It was not a good time to be a Latin-American almost anywhere.
Madsen Pirie