In search of the Nixon doctrine on Latin America : levers of influence and resistance in hemispheric relations

Drawing on a variety of newly declassified U.S. government sources, congressional archives, published collections, oral interviews, records from Mexico, and other sources, this dissertation marks the first book length study of the Nixon administration’s interactions with Latin America. Highlighting the agency of countries in the region, as well as the multitude of viewpoints within the U.S. government, this study demonstrates the complexities inherent in crafting a comprehensive regional policy Divided into six chapters, this dissertation takes a chronological approach to the development of U.S.-Latin American relations during the Nixon years. The first three chapters cover his first year in office during which a robust policy debate took place within the administration. In the middle of the debates, Nixon faced his first hemispheric crisis with the rare event of open warfare in the hemisphere. He managed to use discreet levers of influence and, with the support of other international actors, kept the conflict a short affair. The policy debates ended with a major policy speech and a plan for action. The final three chapters explore the variety of ways that the administration and the region failed to develop a coherent policy. Although bilateral relations with most countries in the region remained strong throughout his presidency, Nixon never developed an actionable multilateral doctrine on Latin America