RECENT SOVIET POLICY IN LATIN AMERICA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00287R000101150001-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 13, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: May 13, 1980
• Content Type: MEMO

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/13: CIA-RDP85T00287R000101150001-5
13 May 1980
SUBJECT: Recent Soviet Policy in Latin America
1. The past several months have seen a marked increase
in Soviet activity related to Latin America. New Soviet
initiatives have included:
intensified economic, technical and nuclear
dealings with Argentina;
the first formal high-level visit to Latin
America (in this case, Brazil) in many years;
red-carpet treatment of a major Nicaraguan dele-
gation in Moscow;
conclusion of several assistance agreements with
Managua;
hosted the General Secretary of Jamaica's People's
National Party;
2. The intensified Soviet activity is partly the result
of the deterioration of Soviet-American relations that has
followed Afghanistan. Soviet-policy in the Western Hemisphere
has long been characterized by caution and respect for US
influence in the region. Moscow has also been aware of
Washington's sensitivity to the appearance of a Soviet chal-
lenge in its backyard. The current strain in US-Soviet
ties, however, has meant that Moscow is no longer constrained
by the need to placate Washington in order to protect such
detente equities such as grain trade, access to technology
and SALT.
This memorandum was prepared at the request of the NIO
for Latin America for background use by the DCI. It was prepared
by Office of Political Analysis, USSR Division,
Soviet Foreign Policy Branch and has been coordinated with.
OPA/LA and NIO/LA. Comments may be directed to the Chief,
Soviet Foreign Policy Branch
Duplicate of C05513951:
DIF
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SECRET
3. The US trade sanctions triggered by the Afghan
invasion has also led to stepped up Soviet economic activity
in Latin America. Moscow has made substantial grain purchases
from Brazil and--particularly--Argentina since those countries
said they would not join the US sponsored boycott campaign.
4. Soviet interest in the area has also been stimulated
by Moscow's perception of favorable political trends.
The Soviets are also trying to exploit Latin
resentment of some US policies, such as the US human rights
campaign and restrictions on arms sales.
5. Soviet interest has also been quickened by what it
sees as new revolutionary currents in certain countries--
particularly in Central America. In the wake of Nicaragua,
the Soviets see a new revolutionary situation developing in
El Savador and ossible re-revolutionar situation in
Guatemala.
6. Despite this heightened Soviet interest, some
constraints on Soviet activity are likely to remain:
-- Latin America is far from the USSR and not central
as are Europe, the Middle East and South Asia to
Soviet security concerns.
-- Moscow recognizes the US still has significant
political influence in the region.
-- The Soviets are unwilling to invest substantial
economic assistance in the area and realize the
Latins. still prefer Western goods.
-- Finally, Moscow recognizes that its influence
is dependent on potentially changeable political
situations (Jamaica is a case in point).
Although these factors are likely to temper Soviet interest in
the region, it still seems likely that in the 1980s the US
is going to face more competition in Latin America from
the USSR than it did in the preceeding decade.
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Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/13: CIA-RDP85T00287R000101150001-5
SUBJECT: Recent Soviet Policy
NFAC/OPA/USSR-EE/SRE
Distribution
13 May 1980/
NIO/LA
NIO/USSR-EE
PPG
D/OPA
OPA/PO
C/OPA/LA
C/OPA/USSR-EE
OPA/USSR-EE
OPA/USSR-EE
OPA/USSR-EE/SRM
OPA/USSR-EE/SRI
OPA/USSR-EE/SRE
OPA/USSR-EE/E
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Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/07/13: CIA-RDP85T00287R000101150001-5