Wars of Latin America, 1982–2013
The Path to Peace
$49.95
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About the Book
This book, continuing the narrative begun by the author in two preceding volumes, provides a clear description of military combat occurring in Latin America for the years from 1982 into mid–2013. Although the text concentrates on combat operations, matters of politics, business and international relations appear as necessary to understand the wars.
The author has uncovered many previously unknown sources to provide new information never published before. The book traces the many insurgencies in Latin America as well as conventional wars. Among the highlights are the chapters on the Falklands War and the U.S. invasions of Grenada and Panama. One useful aspect of the text is an explanation of why, of the many insurgencies appearing in Latin America, only those in Cuba and Nicaragua were successful in overthrowing governments. The book also helps explain why even unsuccessful insurgencies have survived for decades, as has happened in Colombia and Peru.
Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.
About the Author(s)
Bibliographic Details
René De La Pedraja
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 292
Bibliographic Info: 17 maps, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2013
pISBN: 978-0-7864-7016-7
eISBN: 978-1-4766-1244-7
Imprint: McFarland
Table of Contents
List of Maps and Tables x
Preface 1
Part I. Leftist Revolutionaries on the Defensive
1. Counteroffensive in Central America 3
Nicaragua: The Emergence of the Contras, 1979–1982 3
El Salvador: The First Effort Against FMLN, 1981–1983 10
The Second Spanish Conquest: The Army Offensive in Guatemala, 1981–1982 14
2. War Between Argentina and Great Britain 20
The Road to War 20
Argentina Prepares for the British Counterattack 27
The Start of Hostilities 32
The Landing at San Carlos 37
The Battle of Darwin 41
The Battle for Port Stanley 45
3. Response to Revolutionaries 50
The U.S. Invasion of Grenada in 1983 50
Guatemala: The Second Spanish Colonization, 1983–1986 59
El Salvador: Blunting the Guerrillas in 1984 63
4. Nicaragua: Contras on the Offensive, 1982–1984 67
Edén Pastora and the Creation of the Southern Front 67
Contra Offensives in the North 70
5. Peru: Threats to Shining Path 76
The Peruvian Army in Ayacucho, 1982–1985 76
The Appearance of the Last Guerrilla Group in Latin America 81
6. Guerrillas in Colombia: Recovery and Expansion, 1982–1984 86
M-19: From Jaime Bateman to Cease-Fire, 1982–1984 86
The Revival of EPL, 1982–1984 89
FARC: Cocaine and Cease-Fire 94
7. Peru: The Recovery of Shining Path 97
Ayacucho and the Highlands 97
The Discovery of the Upper Huallaga Valley 100
8. Nicaragua: The Contras’ Last Effort 106
The Struggle in the Southern Front, 1984–1986 106
The Final Showdown, 1985–1988 109
Part II. Leftist Revolutionaries in Retreat
9. The U.S. Invasion of Panama 117
The United States and Manuel Noriega 117
Operation Just Cause 120
10. Glimmers of Peace in Colombia, 1984–1991 128
M-19: From Cease-Fire to Cease-Fire, 1984–1989 128
The Final Effort of EPL, 1985–1991 135
The Army Campaigns Against FARC, 1985–1990 141
11. Peace in Central America, 1988–1996 147
The Resurgence of FMLN in El Salvador, 1988–1992 147
Guatemala: The Long Journey to Peace 157
12. Peru: Victories for the Government, 1989–1992 160
Blunting MRTA 160
The Struggle for the Upper Huallaga Valley 163
Decision in the Highlands 167
The Battle for Lima 172
Part III. Peru and Colombia
13. Peru: Flickering Insurgency and War with Ecuador 177
Lost Opportunities, 1992–1993 177
The Return to Upper Huallaga Valley and the Aries Operation of 1994 179
The War with Ecuador Over Cenepa 183
The Last Try of MRTA 188
14. Colombia: FARC on the Offensive, 1991–2001 191
FARC’s Response to the Casa Verde Attack, 1991–1993 191
The High Point of FARC Success, 1994–1998 193
The End of the Guerrilla Offensive, 1998–2001 202
15. Peru: The Return of Shining Path 208
The Survival of Shining Path 208
From Shining Path to Regional Warlords 211
16. Colombia: The War Against FARC, 2001–2013 217
Northwest Colombia: Demobilization and Paramilitaries 217
The Government on the Offensive: Plan Patriota 224
From Stalemate to Peace Negotiations, 2008–2013 229
17. Reflections on Guerrillas in Latin America 234
Chapter Notes 243
Annotated Selected Bibliography 267
Index
Book Reviews & Awards
“the coverage is comprehensive…the writing is consistently clear, and De La Pedraja enhances the text with useful maps and excellent references. Highly recommended”—Choice.
