Quick Summary
In the Cold War era, the United States backed a series of coups that cast a shadow over Latin America, toppling elected governments and paving the way for harsh, authoritarian regimes. These interventions also gave rise to covert operations and provoked widespread revolutionary resistance across the region.
About This Program ✦
"Coups" is a programme presented as an episode‑length feature. It falls within the broader genre of episodic television, offering a concise yet focused narrative format. Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, the story follows a series of interventions in Latin America that are supported by the United States. These actions lead to the abrupt dismantling of democratic institutions across the region, creating a climate of political instability and upheaval. The collapse of these democracies gives rise to harsh, authoritarian regimes, while the covert nature of the operations remains a constant undercurrent throughout the episode. In response, various groups mount a revolutionary resistance, challenging both the newly installed dictatorships and the hidden machinations behind them. Overall, the programme paints a stark picture of how external meddling during the Cold War era reshaped Latin American societies, replacing elected governments with brutal rule and sparking a cycle of secret warfare and popular defiance.
Latin America: In The Shadow of The U.S. broadcasts on Al Jazeera English at 12:00am, Wednesday, 11 February 2026.


