Dow Chemical Worker Interview

Abstract

Of all U.S. multinational corporations operating in Latin America, Dow Chemical has established perhaps the closest relations with repressive governments. For example, the head of Dow's operations in Brazil until early 1975 was General Golbery do Couto e Silva, who was chief of Brazil's secret police until he joined the Dow team. He later became Chief of Staff to General Ernesto Geisel, the dictator and President of Brazil. For its Chilean operations, Dow named an ex-Marine General, I. Budd Venable, to its top position. Furthermore, Dow's Latin American department at its Coral Gables home office is staffed by Cuban exiles and other staunch cold warriors.