What did the declassified documents reveal?

Document: CIA-RDP04T00990R000100390001-8, Agency: Central Intelligence Agency, Date: February 5, 1988, Notable for its analysis of the utilitarian relationship between Chile and Israel in the realm of arms transfers and military cooperation. The document was declassified in part, with a sanitized copy approved for release on May 16, 2013, by the CIA's Central Reference Branch. This typescript was prepared by the South American Division, Office of African and Latin American Analysis, and comments and queries are welcome and may be directed to the Chief, South American Division, ALA. Background Until the late 1960s relations between Chile and Israel were limited and of low priority. During the first two decades of Israel's existence, for example, Tel Aviv did not maintain a diplomatic presence in Santiago, accrediting its ambassador to Argentina as nonresident minister to Chile and several other capitals. Following the 1973 Arab-Israeli war and Arab success in spurring black African nations to break relations with Israel, however, Tel Aviv began to devote more attention to Latin America. During the past decade Israel has attempted to broaden its diplomatic, cultural, and economic contacts throughout the region, using them effectively to expand into the arms trade. Since Washington instituted the arms embargo against the Pinochet regime in 1976, Chile has become a prime target of Israeli arms sales--we estimate that Santiago is now Tel Aviv's second or third largest weapons customer in Latin America, after Argentina and Venezuela. While Santiago appreciates the arms link with Israel, it is careful to protect its growing economic ties to the Arab world, which we believe Santiago views as more important over the longer term. Non-military Chilean trade with the Arab bloc from 1977 to 1986 amounted to about $1.2 billion--with a huge surplus in Santiago's favor--as compared to $30.2 million with Israel over the same time frame. In particular, Chile is anxious to nurture its growing arms trade with Iraq, now the leading export market for Chile's fledgling defense industries. Because of the need not to offend Arab sensitivities and to protect its commercial equities, Santiago has kept its relationship with Israel low key and focused on military and security matters, while seeking to avoid a clear cut stand on contentious Middle East political issues. Military Sales We believe that in most cases Chile has opted for Israeli arms and equipment because of availability--Tel Aviv attaches no political strings to its transfers--and high quality. Sales have been dominated by advanced electronics, upgrade packages, and sophisticated end-items such as air-to-air missiles. Some of the more important transfers and services include: Shafrir Air-to-Air Missiles, M-51 Sherman Tanks, Tank Refurbishment, Naval Tactical Training Center, Westwind 2 Aircraft, and Modification of Mirage Vs. Chilean arms exports to Israel so far have been limited to an undetermined number of…

Why was this case declassified?

This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. The originating source document is linked on this page so the citation chain is auditable.

Chile: A Utiliarian Relationship With Israel

◆ BLUF — The short version

Document: CIA-RDP04T00990R000100390001-8, Agency: Central Intelligence Agency, Date: February 5, 1988, Notable for its analysis of the utilitarian relationship between Chile and Israel in the realm of arms transfers and military cooperation. The document was declassified in part, with a sanitized copy approved for release on May 16, 2013, by the CIA's Central Reference Branch.

Date: JUL 18 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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What was Chile: A Utiliarian Relationship With Israel about?: Document: CIA-RDP04T00990R000100390001-8, Agency: Central Intelligence Agency, Date: February 5, 1988, Notable for its analysis of the utilitarian relationship between Chile and Israel in the realm of arms transfers and military cooperation. The document was declassified in part, with a sanitized copy approved for release on May 16, 2013, by the CIA's Central Reference Branch.
Why was this case declassified?: This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Storyflo narrates it directly from the public release.

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