Human Rights and United States Policy Toward Latin America

This is a long and thorough analysis, primarily descriptive, of U.S. policy-making in regard to human rights in Latin America, and the values underlying this policy. The author believes, no doubt correctly, that security policy based on anti-communism will always prevail over humanitarian values in the formulation of policy, since officials must counter perceived threats. Human rights supporters should therefore seek influence over such perceptions, arguing for a national interest in peace and stability.