The War On Democracy

The War on Democracy examines the past and present relationships between the US and Latin American countries such as Venezuela, Chile and Bolivia. John Pilger uses archive footage to show how repeated US intervention, both overt and covert, has led to the overthrow of legally elected governments in Latin America since the 1950s. For instance, the film explains how Salvador Allende, a legitimately elected Chilean president, was toppled by a US-instigated coup in 1973, paving the way for General Pinochet’s military regime. Other countries, including Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras, also suffered the same fate.

Several former CIA agents who participated in covert campaigns against democratic governments in Latin America are interviewed. Pilger also scrutinises the role played by the School of the Americas, an institution located in the state of Georgia, where torture squads run by Pinochet were trained. The institute also trained leaders of death squads in Brazil, Haiti, Argentina and El Salvador. The film uncovers the truth behind the abortive attempt to overthrow Hugo Chávez, the Venezuelan president, in 2002, and the role of poor people in Caracas in returning him to power. It also features an exclusive interview with Hugo Chávez.

The War on Democracy analyses the emergence of populist governments in Latin America led by indigenous leaders, whose main focus is to curb the exploitation of the region’s natural resources. It sees the world through the eyes of ordinary people, highlighting their hopes and dreams.