“A Lovely Little War"
Courtesy and © Copyright Latin American Studies (latinamericanstudies.org)
U.S. soldier guards groups of students, October 25, 1983. Courtesy and © Copyright Bettman/Corbis
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That was what one reporter once coined the American-led invasion of Grenada, code named Operation Urgent Fury, on October 25, 1983. The short, military insurgency lasted for approximately two months (actual combat was over within hours of beginning), after which, Operation Island Breeze was put into action. During this time, the United States and its Caribbean allies assisted in the rebuilding and peacekeeping of Grenada. Numerous reasons were given by the Reagan Administration for the invasion:
1. The safety of approximately 224 American medical students studying at St. George's University became a concern after the destabilization of the government and society in Grenada caused by the death of Maurice Bishop 2. A letter written by Govenor-General Paul Scoon (click here to view) to the prime minister of Barbados formally requesting the assistance of the United States and other nations in the Caribbean 3. Growing concern over "Soviet-Cuban militarization" in the region and on Grenada specifically with the construction of a large runway at Point Salines International Airport “The goal was a Grenadian military base in the Caribbean, controlled by Moscow, if necessary through Havana. Bishop knew full well where he was leading his country, although many other Grenadians did not."
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"Do I think Reagan acted wisely? Yes, I think he did because I think there was a potential for that to spread -- that being communism -- to spread to other parts of the island and to other parts of Latin America." .
. . "And so, there would have been little in the way of freedom of religion if it [Grenada] would have gone communist."
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Dr. Steve Vitucci, major (ret.) U.S. Army
Video clips: Steve Vitucci, interview, December 13, 2011
Video clips: Steve Vitucci, interview, December 13, 2011