User talk:Aragwen

Central American "death squads" were notourius for their infliction of random violence. In reality, they acheived very little political purpose. In essence, their main objective was the institutionaliztion, and sistimatic use, of terror. Central American "death squads" were essentially rouge units that were not motivated by political gain. Government funding and external international pressure created a beast that served little purpose other than an egotistical validation. In South and Central America, the "death squads" did however achieve one simple thing: their acts diminished the ability of leftist movements to attain power. They were also able to curb, be it small, the power of the Catholic Church in the region. While the Sandanists were eventually able to attain power (and some would argue the same for Victor Chavez), their organization was severly deplited. Also, "death squads" provided the oppertunity of deniabilty for governments in power. This in itself might justify their existence.