The lost history of Latin America’s role in averting catastrophe during the Cuban missile crisis

A map prepared by the Defense Department in 1962 shows potential ranges of Soviet ballistic missiles from Cuba. Department of Defense Cuban Missile Crisis briefing materials/John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

Sixty-three years ago, President John F. Kennedy single-handedly brought the world back from the brink of nuclear war by staring down Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev over the Cuban missile crisis. At least, so goes a standard U.S.-centric interpretation of events.

But despite the narrative of presidential strength and American resolve saving the day, the truth is more complicated – and involved a wider cast of continental characters.