School of the Americas

School of the Americas (SOA)- A U.S. based military training center for Latin American military forces.

-SOA has trained over 60,000 Latin American soldiers from 22 countries.

-From conventional infantry combat, counterinsurgency, and special warfare, counter-narcotic operations, and military intelligence.

-To protect against the USSR during the Cold War.

-Many trainees returned home and committed acts of violence.

SOA- Established in 1946 as the U.S. Army Carribean Training Center in Panama.

-Assist in professional action for the forces.

-In 1984, under the terms of the 1977 Panama Canal treaties, the school was transferred to Fort Benning.

February 5, 1997- U.S. House of Representatives said the SOA had some of the worst human rights issues.

-The initial bill to end the SOA was defeated, as well the second in 1998. 

1999- Congress voted 230-197 to cut approximately 10% of the SOA funds.