Operation Condor was a campaign of political repression and state terror that was carried out by several South American military dictatorships during the 1970s. The countries involved in this campaign were Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. The goal of Operation Condor was to eliminate left-wing political opposition and to suppress any form of dissent in these countries.
The origins of Operation Condor can be traced back to the early 1970s, when several South American military dictatorships came to power through coups d'état. These dictatorships were supported by the United States and were part of a larger effort to counter the perceived threat of communism in the region. In 1975, the leaders of these countries met in Santiago, Chile to discuss ways to coordinate their efforts to eliminate left-wing opposition. This meeting resulted in the creation of Operation Condor.
One of the most significant aspects of Operation Condor was its use of cross-border kidnappings, torture, and assassination to target political opponents. This campaign of repression was carried out by secret police forces and military units in each of the participating countries. Many of the victims of Operation Condor were kidnapped in one country and then taken to another country, where they were tortured and killed. In some cases, the victims' bodies were then thrown into the sea or buried in unmarked graves.
The effects of Operation Condor were devastating. Thousands of people were killed or went missing as a result of this campaign of repression. The victims of Operation Condor included not only political activists, but also intellectuals, students, and journalists. Many of the victims were never seen or heard from again.
In the decades since the end of Operation Condor, there have been efforts to bring those responsible for these crimes to justice. In the early 2000s, several former military officials from the participating countries were charged with crimes related to Operation Condor. In some cases, these officials have been convicted and sentenced to prison.
Today, the legacy of Operation Condor remains a source of controversy and pain for many people in South America. While some have sought to move on from this dark period in their countries' histories, others believe that it is important to remember and learn from the crimes committed during Operation Condor in order to ensure that they are never repeated.
