Falklands War Documents - Department of State, Confidential cable

May 7, 1982 – Latin American Reaction to South Atlantic Crisis

Department of State, Confidential cable

Signed by Secretary of State Haig, this review is sent to all U.S. diplomats in Latin America with copies to diplomats in NATO countries, plus the Southern Command and the Atlantic command.  It reads, in part:

"Summary: Popular opinion throughout Latin America has supported Argentina's claim to the Falkland/Malvinas islands, but hemisphere governments have been reluctant to legitimize the use of force. With the announcement of U.S. support for the U.K. April 30 and the sinking of General Belgrano May 2 Latin sentiment for Argentina has solidified. The Anglo-Argentine conflict has divided Spanish speaking countries from the English speaking Caribbean, jeopardized the Inter-American system, provided Cuba the opportunity to repair relations with Argentina and adopt the mantle of Latin American solidarity, ignited nationalist feelings throughout the hemisphere, and revived latent anti-Americanism, which has yet to erupt widely in public but is simmering beneath the surface."