U.S. regime change operations.

U.S. regime change operations refer to the various actions taken by the United States to overthrow or replace foreign governments that are perceived as adversarial or not aligned with U.S. interests. These operations have taken various forms, including direct military intervention, covert intelligence operations, economic sanctions, and diplomatic efforts to support opposition groups. Here are some notable examples:

### **1. Iran (1953)**

- **Operation Ajax**: The CIA and British intelligence orchestrated a coup to overthrow Iran's democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mossadegh after he nationalized the oil industry. The coup reinstalled the Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who ruled as a pro-Western authoritarian leader until his overthrow in 1979.

### **2. Guatemala (1954)**

- **Operation PBSUCCESS**: The U.S. supported a coup to overthrow President Jacobo Árbenz, who had instituted land reforms that threatened U.S. corporate interests, particularly the United Fruit Company. The operation led to decades of civil unrest and authoritarian rule.

### **3. Cuba (1961)**

- **Bay of Pigs Invasion**: A failed CIA-sponsored invasion by Cuban exiles aimed at overthrowing Fidel Castro’s communist government. The operation was a major embarrassment for the U.S. and strengthened Castro's position in Cuba.

### **4. Chile (1973)**

- **Support for Pinochet's Coup**: The U.S. provided support to Chilean military forces that overthrew democratically elected President Salvador Allende. The coup led to the establishment of General Augusto Pinochet's brutal military dictatorship, which lasted until 1990.

### **5. Nicaragua (1980s)**

- **Support for the Contras**: The Reagan administration supported the Contra rebels in their fight against the Sandinista government, which had come to power after the Nicaraguan Revolution. This support, which included funding and training, was part of the broader U.S. effort to contain communism in Latin America.

### **6. Iraq (2003)**

- **Invasion of Iraq**: The U.S. led a coalition that invaded Iraq and toppled Saddam Hussein's regime under the pretext that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and was linked to terrorism. The invasion led to long-term instability in the region and the rise of extremist groups like ISIS.

### **7. Libya (2011)**

- **NATO Intervention**: The U.S. and NATO allies conducted airstrikes and provided support to rebel groups during the Libyan Civil War, leading to the overthrow and death of Muammar Gaddafi. Libya has since descended into chaos, with ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises.

### **8. Syria (2010s)**

- **Support for Rebels**: The U.S. provided support to various opposition groups fighting against the regime of Bashar al-Assad during the Syrian Civil War. This support included training, weapons, and intelligence. However, the conflict has led to a prolonged war, a massive refugee crisis, and significant regional instability.

### **9. Venezuela (2019-Present)**

- **Support for Opposition**: The U.S. has supported opposition leader Juan Guaidó in his efforts to oust President Nicolás Maduro, whom the U.S. and many other countries consider illegitimate. This support has included economic sanctions and diplomatic pressure.

These operations have often been controversial, with critics arguing that they undermine international law, violate the sovereignty of nations, and frequently result in long-term instability and human suffering. Proponents, on the other hand, argue that such actions are necessary to protect U.S. interests, promote democracy, and counter threats to global security.