Editing Operation Condor (section)

==Operation Condor==
Operation Condor (Operación Cóndor) was a U.S.-backed campaign of state terrorism and political repression orchestrated by South American military dictatorships from 1975 to 1983, primarily involving Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Aimed at eliminating left-wing activists, dissidents, and perceived communist threats during the Cold War, it resulted in an estimated 60,000–80,000 deaths, 400,000 detentions, and widespread torture. Formally launched on November 25, 1975, in Santiago, Chile, under Chile’s DINA intelligence chief Manuel Contreras, Condor facilitated cross-border assassinations, kidnappings, and intelligence sharing, with CIA support through funding, training, and communication systems. Key operations included the 1976 assassination of Orlando Letelier in Washington, D.C., and Argentina’s “Dirty War” disappearances.