The world of covert operations has always been shrouded in mystery, a clandestine realm where truth often blurs with speculation. This is particularly true when it comes to the activities of US Special Forces in Latin America. While whispers of their clandestine missions have long circulated, recent declassification of documents has begun to shed light on these once-shadowy operations. Unilever.edu.vn delves into some of the most intriguing US Special Forces missions in Latin America, separating fact from fiction and examining their lasting impact.
JCTE: A Gateway to Covert Operations?
The story begins with the Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) program, established in 1991. This program allows the US Department of Defense to deploy Special Forces personnel for training and coordination with foreign militaries outside of declared war zones. While seemingly innocuous, many suspect JCET missions serve as a convenient cover for counterterrorism and counter-narcotics operations alongside partner forces.
Data obtained through the Freedom of Information Act reveals a startling surge in JCET missions within Latin America over the past two decades. Between 2007 and 2014, the number of these missions tripled. Honduras, a nation grappling with gang violence and political unrest, became a focal point, hosting a staggering 21 JCET missions. Coincidentally, or perhaps not, this period also saw a dramatic escalation in cartel and gang activity throughout Latin America.
The Seventh Group: Guardians of the Southern Hemisphere
Understanding the US Special Forces’ presence in Latin America requires examining the 7th Special Forces Group, a unit specializing in the region. Headquartered at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, members of the 7th Group undergo rigorous language and cultural immersion, mastering Spanish or Portuguese and gaining a deep understanding of the region’s complexities.
The 7th Group’s role expanded significantly in the 1980s during President Reagan’s staunch anti-communist stance. This period saw them heavily involved in Honduras, engaging in missions that remain highly classified to this day.
One such mission, recounted by former Delta Force operator Eric L. Hanley, offers a glimpse into the group’s covert activities. Deployed to Honduras in 1991, Hanley’s mission involved training Honduran forces and engaging Marxist guerrillas who had infiltrated from Nicaragua. In a twist of fate, Hanley found himself face-to-face with David Beez, a Nicaraguan-born former US Army Special Forces operator who had defected and joined the opposing side. Hanley’s account, corroborated by declassified CIA documents, suggests a far deeper US involvement in the Honduran conflict than publicly acknowledged at the time.
El Salvador: A Breeding Ground for Controversy
The US Special Forces’ footprint extended beyond Honduras, reaching into the heart of El Salvador’s civil war. In 1981, President Reagan dispatched the 7th Group to bolster El Salvador’s security forces, a move that would have far-reaching consequences.
Declassified CIA documents later revealed that the organizations trained by US Special Forces evolved into the infamous Salvadoran death squads, responsible for countless atrocities. The mission, initially framed as countering communist insurgents, became mired in controversy as the true extent of the violence unfolded.
Retired Green Beret Greg Walker, a veteran of the El Salvador conflict, provides chilling firsthand accounts of the mission’s brutality. His research suggests a deliberate effort to obscure the true number of US casualties and downplay the intensity of the fighting. Walker’s work unveils a dark chapter in US Special Forces history, one marked by questionable tactics and a disregard for human rights.
Colombia: The Hunt for Pablo Escobar
Perhaps the most well-known chapter in the US Special Forces’ Latin American saga is their role in the hunt for Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar. In the early 1990s, Escobar’s Medellin Cartel held a stranglehold on the cocaine trade, unleashing a wave of violence and corruption that destabilized the region.
Operation Search Bloc, a joint US-Colombian effort, aimed to dismantle Escobar’s empire. The US deployed its most elite units, including Delta Force, who played a pivotal role in training and supporting Colombian forces. This operation culminated in a dramatic raid in December 1993, ending Escobar’s reign of terror. While the exact details of Delta Force’s involvement remain shrouded in secrecy, their contribution to Escobar’s downfall is undeniable.
Mexico: The Shadowy Pursuit of El Chapo
More recently, rumors swirl about Delta Force’s involvement in the capture of another notorious drug lord: Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman. In 2016, after a series of daring escapes, El Chapo, leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, found himself once again in the crosshairs of Mexican and US authorities.
Operation Black Swan, a highly classified operation, aimed to bring El Chapo to justice. While the Mexican government downplays any direct US involvement, reports from credible sources, including defense news outlet SOFREP, suggest Delta Force played a crucial behind-the-scenes role. Their expertise in intelligence gathering, surveillance, and targeted raids proved instrumental in tracking down and capturing the elusive kingpin.
Panama: A Daring Rescue Under Fire
Operation Acid Gambit, a lightning-fast mission to rescue US citizen Kurt Muse from a Panamanian prison in December 1989, showcases the US Special Forces’ tactical prowess. With the US invasion of Panama imminent, a small team of Delta Force operators launched a daring nighttime raid.
Facing heavy gunfire and a ticking clock, the team fought their way into the heavily guarded prison, extracted Muse, and escaped under a hail of bullets. This daring operation, executed with precision and courage, epitomizes the elite capabilities of the US Special Forces.
Bolivia: Chasing Shadows in the Jungle
The US Special Forces’ involvement in Latin America extends beyond counter-narcotics and hostage rescue missions. In the jungles of Bolivia, they engaged in a different kind of conflict, one fueled by Cold War tensions and revolutionary fervor.
The CIA’s Special Activities Division (SAD), a highly secretive paramilitary unit, played a central role in thwarting Che Guevara’s revolutionary ambitions in Bolivia in the 1960s. Felix Rodriguez, a CIA operative, infiltrated Guevara’s ranks, providing crucial intelligence that led to his capture and execution in 1967. This operation, shrouded in controversy, highlights the shadowy nature of Cold War-era covert operations and their lasting impact on Latin American politics.
Operation Golden Pheasant: A Show of Force
Operation Golden Pheasant, a rapid deployment of US troops to Honduras in 1988, offers a stark reminder of the volatile geopolitical climate of the Cold War. Triggered by Nicaraguan attacks on Contra bases in Honduras, President Reagan authorized the deployment of thousands of US troops, including elements of the 82nd Airborne Division.
The operation, a show of force designed to deter further Nicaraguan aggression, showcased the US military’s ability to project power rapidly. While large-scale combat was averted, Operation Golden Pheasant serves as a testament to the enduring tensions that characterized the latter half of the 20th century.
Legacy of Intervention: A Complex Tapestry
The US Special Forces’ missions in Latin America paint a complex and often troubling picture. While some operations undoubtedly saved lives and disrupted criminal networks, others fueled instability, exacerbated human rights abuses, and left behind a legacy of distrust.
Unveiling the secrets of these covert operations allows for a more nuanced understanding of the US’s role in Latin America. By examining both the successes and failures of these missions, we gain valuable insights into the complexities of international relations and the unintended consequences of intervention.
