Soviet Policy toward Argentina and the Southern Cone

Abstract

This article discusses the changing nature of Soviet relations with the Southern Cone of Latin America—Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay—since 1970. The author argues that Soviet policy toward the area can be characterized as pragmatic, cautious, and moderately successful. Soviet strategy has involved a low-profile, risk-avoiding approach that hopes for high returns on the basis of minimal economic and political investment. Southern Cone elites have for the most part been pragmatic toward the Soviet Union, especially when the relations are economically profitable and politically stabilizing.