Escuela de las Américas

The Escuela de las Américas, or School of the Americas, was a U.S. military training institution established in 1946 in Panama, later moved to Fort Benning, Georgia. It trained Latin American military personnel in various skills, including counterinsurgency and tactics. Critics argue that the school contributed to human rights abuses and supported authoritarian regimes during the Cold War. Supporters claim it fostered cooperation and professionalism in regional armed forces. The school has faced significant controversy, leading to its rebranding in 2001 as the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation, aiming to promote more democratic practices among military leaders.