Every Leader The US Has Assassinated

Summary

This video delves into the CIA's covert operations, revealing a history of political assassinations and regime changes to protect US interests. From Patrice Lumumba's murder in Congo to Salvador Allende's overthrow in Chile, the narrative exposes how the US has manipulated foreign politics, often leading to devastating consequences for the affected nations. The video underscores the impact of these interventions on global politics and raises questions about the ethics of such actions.

Takeaways

• 🔍 The CIA has been involved in numerous assassinations and covert operations to protect US interests and undermine foreign leaders perceived as threats.
• 🌐 Patrice Lumumba, the first elected prime minister of the Congo, was assassinated with the CIA's involvement due to his perceived closeness to Soviet influence.
• 🗓️ On September 5, 1960, President Kasavubu, backed by the CIA, dismissed Lumumba, leading to a series of events that culminated in his brutal murder.
• 🔮 The US Senate's Church Committee investigated the CIA's involvement in Lumumba's assassination, revealing a deeper entanglement than initially admitted.
• 🇻🇳 South Vietnam's President Ngo Dinh Diem was assassinated in a coup that was backed and directed by the US government and the CIA, as revealed by the Pentagon Papers.
• 🏛️ The CIA's role in the 1973 Chilean coup, which overthrew President Salvador Allende, was part of a broader strategy to prevent the spread of communism and protect US business interests.
• 🚜 General Rene Schneider's assassination in Chile was a critical step in clearing the way for the military coup, with the CIA's involvement being a key factor.
• 🗼 The CIA's economic and political strategies, including the orchestration of strikes and propaganda, played a central role in destabilizing Chile and justifying military intervention.
• 🔫 The US government's direct involvement in the assassination of foreign leaders like Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso was driven by a desire to protect business interests and maintain geopolitical influence.
• 🌿 Sankara's progressive policies in health, education, and environmental sustainability, as well as his anti-corruption stance, made him a target for foreign intervention.

Q & A

Who was Patrice Lumumba and why was he targeted by the CIA?

Patrice Lumumba was the first elected prime minister of the former Belgian Congo. He was targeted by the CIA due to his perceived closeness to Soviet influence and his policies of nationalization and wealth redistribution, which threatened American business interests, particularly in the Congo's mineral wealth.

What was the role of the CIA in the dismissal of Patrice Lumumba?

The CIA played a significant role in Patrice Lumumba's dismissal by providing funding to bolster anti-Lumumba efforts and supporting President Joseph Kasavubu's move to dismiss him on September 5, 1960.

How did the CIA's involvement in Lumumba's assassination contradict the public statement made by the Church Committee?

The Church Committee's public statement suggested that the CIA was only passively involved in Lumumba's assassination. However, the actual conclusion and evidence from the investigation showed the CIA's deep entanglement in the murder, contradicting their claim of passive involvement.

What was the significance of President Ngo Dinh Diem's assassination in the context of the Vietnam War?

President Ngo Dinh Diem's assassination was significant as it was part of a coup backed by the US government and the CIA, which aimed to remove a leader seen as crucial to the fight against communism but whose autocratic rule and failure to address grievances led to widespread opposition.

What were the key factors that led to the CIA's involvement in the coup against Salvador Allende in Chile?

The CIA's involvement in the coup against Salvador Allende was driven by his policies of nationalization and wealth redistribution, which threatened American business interests, particularly in the copper mining industry, and the perception of his government moving towards Soviet communism.

How did the CIA's Operation Fubelt contribute to the destabilization of Chile under Allende?

Operation Fubelt involved economic and political strategies to create pretext for a military coup, including economic sabotage, support for anti-Allende propaganda, and orchestration of protests to simulate domestic discontent.

What was the outcome of the CIA's involvement in the Dominican Republic during the rule of Rafael Trujillo?

The CIA was involved in plotting Trujillo's assassination, which was carried out by Dominican forces. After his death, the US attempted to maintain a puppet government but eventually faced challenges that led to democratic elections and the rise of Juan Bosch.

Why was Thomas Sankara targeted for assassination, and what were the consequences of his death?

Thomas Sankara was targeted for assassination due to his radical policies that challenged international business interests and his confrontational stance against neocolonialism. His death led to the rise of Blaise Compaore, which reversed many of Sankara's progressive policies and turned Burkina Faso back into a colony for international capital.

What was the role of the CIA in the assassination of General Rene Schneider in Chile?

The CIA played a significant role in the assassination of General Rene Schneider by providing weapons, advice, and financial support to the groups plotting his murder, which was part of a broader strategy to destabilize the Allende government and facilitate a military coup.

How did the CIA's interventions in various countries impact the long-term political and social outcomes in those nations?

The CIA's interventions often led to the installation of authoritarian regimes, long-term political instability, and human rights abuses. These actions also contributed to the perpetuation of neocolonialism and the suppression of democratic movements, with lasting negative effects on the countries' social and economic development.