CIA, Controversy Over Neglecting Brutal Acts of South American Military Regimes in the 1970s

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] A revelation has emerged that the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was fully aware of the brutal actions of South American military regimes in the 1970s. Despite knowing the circumstances behind the 'disappearances' of dissidents, as well as priests, nuns, and civilians, the CIA not only failed to stop these acts but consistently remained passive.

On the 17th (local time), the Washington Post (WP) reported that the CIA obtained information about the repression of dissidents by South American military regimes in the 1970s through the Swiss cryptographic equipment company Crypto AG. Previously, WP, together with Germany's broadcaster ZDF, revealed through CIA operational documents that the CIA monitored information not only from hostile countries but also from allied nations via Crypto AG, which was known as a civilian company.

According to the report, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay operated a secret communication network called the 'Condor Network' to arrest or eliminate dissidents. They used a device called 'CX-52s' from Crypto AG to effectively transmit all conversations to the CIA. The South American dictatorships named this operation 'Operation Condor.' Initially, they created this communication network to share information about insurgent forces crossing national borders. However, it gradually expanded into a channel for sharing information related to massacres of civilians and the elimination of dissidents living in exile abroad.

They eliminated political opponents through brutal methods, such as throwing dissidents out of airplanes.

Within the CIA, there were concerns about the brutal actions of these South American regimes. A memo sent to the CIA Deputy Director in 1976 included a request to American ambassadors to "convey serious concerns about assassination plans under discussion" in South American countries. WP stated that this shows the United States' role was more involved than merely witnessing the atrocities occurring in South America.

However, there has been little coverage of what specific efforts the CIA made to stop these brutal acts.

A former government official who requested anonymity said, "Intelligence work is different from general tasks," adding, "Even if certain information is inevitably obtained, it does not mean being in a position to immediately correct the wrongdoings confirmed through that information." He further explained, "Intelligence-related work mainly involves gathering information and providing it to policymakers and military personnel, who then decide what actions to take."