This chapter demonstrates how Henry Kissinger engaged in resolving inter-American trade, investment, and treaty disputes. When they recalled the history of inter-American relations between 1969 and 1976, State Department officials who worked in Washington and foreign service officers assigned to posts in Latin America habitually lamented that Henry Kissinger did not prioritize relations with Latin America. They further noted that he launched no grand initiatives for the region, such as the Good Neighbor Policy or the Alliance for Progress. Their assessments were accurate. Nonetheless, the energetic Kissinger devoted more of his time to Latin America than did the prominent Cold War leaders that he succeeded. When he left public service in January of 1977, Kissinger could point to solid achievements in inter-American affairs. He took the lead in resolving both old and new issues that marred relations with Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, and Venezuela.
The Containment of Latin America. A History of the Myths and Realities of the Good Neighbor Policy