Military Coups In Latin America Quiz

Answer: Argentina

The military regime conducted a murderous campaign ('dirty war') against left-wing elements 1976-82. When Argentina lost the Falkland War against Britain 1982, it was the end of the military regime. The country returned to civilian rule 1983.

Answer: Bolivia

The military junta handed power over to a civilian administration 1982.

Answer: Ecuador

The country got a new democratic constitution in 1979.

Answer: Chile

The military regime ended 1990. New president: Patricio Aylwin.

Answer: Brazil

After a gradual democratization from 1979, Tancredo Neves was elected as the first civilian president in 21 years in 1985 but died before taking office.

Answer: Uruguay

1985: Agreement reached for return to constitutional goverment. 1986: New democratic goverment established under president Sanguinetti.

Answer: Peru

Return to civilian rule 1980.

Answer: Paraguay

Stroessner was ousted in a coup 1989. A new democratic constitution was adopted 1992.

Answer: Venezuela

1958: Overthrow of Perez and establishment of an enduring civilian democracy.

Answer: Guatemala

Colonel Armas became president after a US-backed coup, after United Fruit Company had been nationalized.

Answer: Panama

Military rule of Torrijos lasted 1968-81.

Answer: Honduras

Lopez held power 1963-74.

Answer: Nicaragua

General Somoza was actually 'elected' president 1937, but he governed as a military dictator, and with help from US the opposition leader Augusto Cesar Sandino was assassinated 1934. The Somoza goverment was ousted 1979 by the FSLN (Frente Sandanista de Liberación Nacional) headed by Daniel Ortega.

Answer: El Salvador

1979-81: 30,000 people were killed by right-wing death squads. A peace accord was signed 1991.

Answer: Grenada

Maurice Bishop took power in a bloodless coup 1979 as leader of the so called 'New Jewel Movement'. He was overthrown by left-wing opponents led by Hudson Austin 1983. The US invaded, there were 250 fatalities.

Answer: Suriname

1982: The army, led by Lt-Col Desi Bouterse, seized power, setting up a Revolutionary People's Front.

Answer: Dominican Republic

Trujillo was assassinated 1961. First democratic elections resulted in Juan Bosch, founder of the left-wing party PRD, becoming president. Bosch was overthrown in military coup supported by US 1963. US sent 30,000 marines to country 1965.

Answer: Haiti

Left wing Catholic priest Jean-Bertrand Aristide was elected president 1990, but was overthrown in a military coup 1991 led by Brig-Gen Raoul Cedras. The threat of a US invasion 1994 led to the regime recognizing Aristide as president.

Answer: Mexico

The Mexican revolution overthrew Diaz 1911.

Answer: Cuba

1959: Batista was overthrown by Fidel Castro and his 9,000-strong guerilla army.