Which statement best explains why the United States supported the harsh goverments of El Salvador and Guatemala?

(1 point)
• The United States benefited from an economic relationship with both countries.
• U.S. policy supported democracies throughout Latin America.
• El Salvador and Guatemala were fighting communist rebels.
• El Salvador and Guatemala were allies against the Sandinistas.

1 answer

The statement that best explains why the United States supported the harsh governments of El Salvador and Guatemala is:

• El Salvador and Guatemala were fighting communist rebels.

During the Cold War, the U.S. often supported authoritarian regimes in Latin America that were opposed to communist movements, as part of its broader strategy to contain communism in the Western Hemisphere.