Be cautioned – today’s truth telling is hard to hear. At least, it was hard for me to hear.
But first, let me tell you a little about my childhood.
I was raised by a Guatemalan mother and a Salvadorean stepfather, both of whom loved this country deeply. I grew up seeing America through their eyes.
This country gave them so much. Were we poor? Absolutely. We went through some rough times. But still we were blessed. Somehow, we always found a way through, and my parents gave partial credit to the United States (U.S.) for that. They believed that even in the worst of times, life here was better than where they came from.
During the Olympics or any sports event with a U.S. team, we rallied behind America, even when it meant cheering against Guatemala or El Salvador. My parents were loyal to the U.S. because it had given them hope. They believed that with hard work and good values this country offered them so many opportunities to have a good life.
And I believed them. I truly believed that this was the best country in the world!
Things began to change in college where I majored in History with a focus on Latin America. The knowledge I gained was not only shocking, but painful. Learning the role the U.S. played in harming Latin American countries, in particular Guatemala and El Salvador, was difficult for me to process. It felt unreal. That wasn’t the America I had grown up believing in.
Through my education, I came to understand that many people flee their countries because of conditions created by U.S. interference. I discovered how the U.S. repeatedly intervened in Latin American policies and elections—often under the guise of protecting democracy, but in reality, it was to serve the interests of corporations and the wealthy.
Much like today’s immigration policies, it became clear that powerful interests often influenced elections by “donating” to parties that serve their goals. In Latin America, corporations frequently had the backing of the U.S. government and often used violence as well.
In Guatemala, President Jacobo Árbenz Guzmán introduced land reform that took unused land from the United Fruit Company (UFCO) and redistributed it to peasants. This move directly threatened UFCO’s economic dominance and profits. In response, UFCO—now known as Chiquita Brands International—used its powerful lobbying and public relations networks to help orchestrate the 1954 Guatemalan coup d’état that removed Árbenz from power.
To understand the scale of UFCO’s influence in Guatemala, it’s important to note that the company not only owned vast amounts of land but also controlled the nation’s telephone and telegraph systems as well as its main railroad network. The UFCO established what are known as enclave economies: systems designed to extract resources while preventing wealth from circulating in local or national economies. They achieved this by maintaining monopolies over labor, railroads, ports, and even housing for their staff. In essence, UFCO took as much as possible from Guatemala’s natural resources while ensuring that very little of the financial benefit reached the people or the country itself.
In El Salvador, the U.S. significantly aided the Salvadorean government and military against the insurgents fighting against deep-rooted social, economic, and political inequalities, including a repressive military. To help you understand the insurgent’s stance and desire for land reform, before the war, 77% of El Salvador’s arable land was held by 0.01%.
Over time, I began to see how domestic policies often mirrored foreign policies. Systems and structures adopted within the U.S. affected its citizens in vastly different ways. Many of these systems were designed to keep certain populations in circumstances that limited their access to equity.
Some will say “yes, but that’s politics.”
Sorry to tell you another hard truth: that mentality is exactly what allowed this administration to exploit communities that were never truly protected. Their protection has always been determined by which party was in power – not by principles embedded in the U.S. value system. When injustice is brushed off as “just politics” it becomes a convenient excuse to ignore real harm. In my opinion, apathy is worse than hate. Hate is visible and can be confronted. Apathy quietly benefits those trying to maintain the status quo and harms the marginalized or those fighting for change.
Learning about U.S. history reshaped my views of America. I went from being blind and enamored to being open and honest about the areas where my country needed to do better. It forced me to reconcile love with accountability. I still hold deep respect for the hope my parents found here – but I now understand that hope must be paired with truth if we want real progress.
I also learned that I could not be a passive citizen, if I wanted real change, I needed to contribute to change. I needed to educate myself, vote with integrity, support causes that upheld the values and beliefs that I believed would help my country do better. I needed to be the change I wished to see in the world.
If you’re curious to learn more on Latin American/U.S. relations, below are some of my favorite books:
Inevitable Revolutions by Walter La Feber
Born in Blood and Fire by John Charles Chasteen
Open Veins of Latin America by Eduardo Galeano
How you can help:
- The Majority Project from Signs of Justice aims to send post cards to Congress about four topics in which 70% or more of Americans believe strongly are common ground for us.
- See ICE, call the California Rapid Response Network in your area.
- Help deliver groceries to families in need: Aqui Para la Communidad is an undocumented-led organization that delivers groceries and other essentials for undocumented individuals.
- Protest, boycott and vote! California will hold a special election on redistricting. I believe redistricting is essential to prevent Trump from influencing the presidential election and other elections in red states, as well as reshaping the country and continuing his efforts to harm, communities that have been affected by his policies.
Diana Z. Pinto
Executive Director