New Books in History Mila Burns, "Dictatorship Across Borders: Brazil, Chile, and the South American Cold War" (UNC Press, 2025)
Nov 14, 2025
Mila Burns, an Associate Professor of Latin American and Latino Studies, dives deep into Brazil's critical role in the Chilean coup of 1973. She unveils how archival research revealed Brazil's covert support for Pinochet, including providing weapons and intel. Discussing the dynamics of Cold War politics, she highlights Brazil's independent actions beyond U.S. influence. Burns also shares poignant stories of Brazilian exiles in Chile, exploring their struggles and resilience. Her meticulous research reshapes our understanding of power and resistance in South America.
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Brazil As Independent Cold War Actor
- Brazil acted as an independent regional power shaping Cold War outcomes in South America, not merely as a U.S. proxy.
- Burns reframes the coup against Allende as driven partly by Brazil's own anti-communist agenda and actions.
Discovery In Brasilia Archives
- Burns began archival research in Brasilia in 2012, sorting uncatalogued brown boxes from the Brazilian Truth Commission.
- She found memos, cables, and faded documents that confirmed exiles' long-standing accusations of Brazilian interference in Chile.
Intelligence Built Around Exiles
- Brazil's post-1964 intelligence apparatus (CX) was created to monitor exiles like João Goulart abroad.
- That same infrastructure later tracked Brazilian exiles in Chile and informed operations against Allende's administration.
