Each day, the headlines expose yet another shocking case

in which the United States, sailing under the banner of

freedom and democracy for all, has actually thwarted

progress toward the securing of human rights for the people of

Latin America. The evidence collected in this volume not only

documents in unmistakable detail the facts of life in that re-

gion s nine most tumultuous countries, but more important,

demonstrates how the Reagan administration has blatantly

abused, ignored, or misrepresented concern for human rights

in pursuing its military and political goals there.

Drawing heavily on Americas Watch s on-site investiga-

tions, With Friends Like These reports the up-to-the-minute

status of human rights in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, El Salva-

dor, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Colombia, and

Peru. How valid are the new guarantees (ours and theirs) of

free expression, personal security, and due process? What

are the real connections between the military and death-

squad activity? Where do "free elections" fit in on the political

and economic trajectories of each country? To which Sides,

and to what ends, is the United States offering funds, arms,

and sympathy--and why do our government s "facts" often

vary so widely from independently reported accounts?

This is a powerful, persuasive rebuttal to the rhetoric of

convenience by which the American government justifies poli-

cies that support torture, repression, and fundamental abuses

of human life abroad.