Trascritto
CIA, Cocaine, and the Contras: A Cold War Controversy
3 mar 2025 ·
13 min. 54 sec.
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CIA, Cocaine, and the Contras: A Cold War Controversy
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Descrizione
This briefing document examines the complex relationship between the CIA, the Contra war in Nicaragua, and the burgeoning cocaine trade of the 1980s. The central question revolves around the extent...
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This briefing document examines the complex relationship between the CIA, the Contra war in Nicaragua, and the burgeoning cocaine trade of the 1980s. The central question revolves around the extent to which the CIA was aware of, and possibly complicit in, drug trafficking activities connected to the Contras. While the provided source does not definitively prove direct CIA orchestration of drug sales, it points to a series of actions and omissions that created an environment conducive to drug smuggling.Main Points & Evidence:
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- The "Memorandum of Understanding" (MOU) and the Omission of Narcotics Violations: A crucial point centers on a 1982 MOU authored by Attorney General William French Smith addressed to CIA Director William Casey. This memo outlined crimes CIA field officers were required to report, but conspicuously omitted narcotics violations. This prompted internal discussions within the Justice Department, but ultimately narcotics violations were not added to the reportable offenses. As Fred Hitz, the CIA’s Inspector General, described it, the omission sent a "mixed message," suggesting a lack of oversight regarding CIA agents' knowledge of drug trafficking.
- Risk Awareness: Despite the lack of reporting requirements, there was an awareness of the potential political damage if drugs were linked to the Contra program. As Hitz stated, "It was fairly clear...that if drugs were intermixed with this program, it would fail, it would kill it."
- Lack of Clear Directives and Enforcement: Even when directives were issued, they often failed to reach field officers. A 1987 memo from acting CIA Director Robert Gates instructed that all aircrews and subcontractors be vetted for narcotics links and that CIA officers cease relations with Contras "even suspected of involvement in narcotics trafficking." However, this memo "was not issued in any form that would advise Agency employees generally of this policy," meaning those on the ground remained uninformed.
- Allegations of Deliberate Negligence/Complicity: While some view the aforementioned issues as bureaucratic failures, others suggest a deliberate pattern of negligence or complicity. Reports and whistleblowers have alleged that the CIA turned a blind eye to or actively facilitated drug smuggling to fund covert operations.
- Gary Webb's "Dark Alliance" Series: Journalist Gary Webb's 1996 "Dark Alliance" series alleged that Nicaraguan drug traffickers with Contra ties flooded American cities with crack cocaine, using the profits to fund the CIA-backed Contra war. The series sparked outrage and led to investigations.
- CIA Inspector General's Report: While the CIA's own investigation acknowledged relationships with individuals and organizations involved in drug trafficking, it concluded there was "no direct evidence that the CIA actively participated in or profited from drug sales."
- Lasting Implications and Debate: The revelations had a significant impact, particularly in African American communities affected by the crack epidemic. The broader issue of government complicity in drug trafficking remains a subject of debate.
- William French Smith's Letter: "I have been advised that a question arose regarding the need to add all narcotics violations to the list of 'non-employee' crimes."
- Fred Hitz on the "Mixed Message": (The omission of narcotics violations from the reportable offenses)
- Fred Hitz on Risk Awareness: "It was fairly clear, and all of the officers whom we questioned on it, and some whom we didn’t but whom the House questioned, realized that if drugs were intermixed with this program, it would fail, it would kill it."
- Robert Gates' Memo Instruction: CIA officers were to cease all relations with Contras "even suspected of involvement in narcotics trafficking."
- Fred Hitz on the Memo's Failure: "was not issued in any form that would advise Agency employees generally of this policy."
Informazioni
| Autore | Jay Shapiro |
| Organizzazione | Luxury Chamber Media Group |
| Sito | - |
| Tag |
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