10 Best War Movies Set in Latin America

Like many regions in the world, Latin America has had its fair share of conflicts over the years. From the Falklands War to the Cuban Revolution, there have been numerous wars that not only affected the citizens, but also had ripple effects that were felt in other sections of the globe. Various minor conflicts have popped up too, and even though they ended quickly, they required serious military intervention.

Many of these wars are chronicled in gripping movies that point out the genesis while also showing what life was like for both ordinary citizens and those holding weapons. These films do more than just provide entertainment; they educate global audiences about the structure of the political landscape in the region. For that reason, war, history, and politics buffs will find them very useful. General cinephiles are likely to enjoy them too because of the quality of the plot and the filmmaking techniques used. Here are 10 war movies set in Latin America.

10 The Liberator (2013)

Alberto Arvelo’s The Liberator tells the story of the legendary Venezuelan military leader, Simon Bolivar, who liberated most of Latin America from the colonial grip of the Spanish Empire. So influential was Bolivar that Bolivia and Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela) were named after him. The famed liberator fought over 100 battles against the enemy, so the movie is packed with endless clashes spread across streets, beaches, and farms, with weapons ranging from machetes to cannons.

Powerful Rallying Cries and Unforgettable Horse-Riding Scenes

The Liberator is a monologue fest, as it is packed with speeches where Bolivar rallies citizens to join him in battle. These are often followed by intense attacks that often end in pyrrhic victories, but leave the Spanish forces scarred and scared. The horse-riding moments are a joy to watch, too, with the director making sure the movements are covered from all possible angles. Most importantly, actor Édgar Ramírez does an incredible job of portraying the icon. After all, this wasn’t the first time he had played a widely-known figure — he was Carlos the Jackal in the miniseries, Carlos.Stream on Tubi

9 Salvador (1986)

Oliver Stone’s vast filmography contains many essential movies, including an amazing one about love and war in Latin America. That film is Salvador, which follows the misadventures of American photojournalist Richard Boyle (James Woods), in war-torn El Salvador. Boyle heads to the country to cover the conflict, but soon realizes the situation is getting too dangerous. However, his plan to go back home becomes complicated when he falls in love with an El Salvadoran woman.

A Harsh Critique of Reagan-Era Policies

Stone has never been shy of stirring political waters, and he does so again here by showing endless scenes of massacres and reminding everyone (through the dialogue) that Reagan’s administration is to blame. He isn’t toying with facts, as the CIA is reported to have supplied the country’s right-wing leadership with weapons, fearing that a win by the left-wing guerrillas would result in the spread of communism.

As interesting as the conflict is, it’s the news-hunting protagonist who makes everything better. He drives from San Fransico to El Salvador, and risks his life unnecessarily numerous times, making audiences more willing to scold him than pity him. Thankfully, he is a very good lover, a perfect example of how beautiful an interracial romance can be. Stream on Roku or Freevee

Related: 12 War Movies Released During The Wars They Were About

8 Che (2008)

Steven Soderbergh’s two-part Che is not only a good movie about war in Latin America, but also one of the most outstanding biographical military movies. The plot centers around the world-renowned Marxist revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara (Benicio Del Toro), showing how he helped topple Fulgencio Batista’s dictatorship in Cuba and how his misguided attempt to start a new revolution in Bolivia in order to sanitize the country ended up being his waterloo.

Cinéma Verité and the Dangers of Unregulated Ambition

The most striking thing about Che is the filmmaking expertise on display. Soderbergh outdoes himself here, using techniques such as cinéma verité (shooting without using artistic effects) and interspersed storytelling. Because of the latter approach, audiences don’t have to wait too long for the battle scenes.

Besides that, the film strikes a perfect balance between celebrating and lambasting its hero. Che’s brilliance is acknowledged, but his failure to quit is also condemned. Many of his counterparts hang up their boots after the successful Cuban revolution, but he and a few others feel the need to emulate Bolivar and liberate the rest of the continent. As expected, things don’t work out as he planned. Stream on AMC+

7 Latino (1985)

Haskell Wexler’s Latino is yet another film that touches on U.S. interventionism. A revolution is about to take place in Nicaragua, so a few Green Berets are sent to train the American-backed Contra rebels. One of the soldiers on the mission is a Latin-American, Eddie Guerrero (Robert Beltran), and as movie fate would have it, he ends up falling for a local girl. And when her father gets killed by the Contra rebels, his perspective on the war changes.

How Emotions Influence Decision-Making

“I only shoot once, and I don’t miss.” That’s a bold thing for a Green Beret with a machine gun to say, but Eddie oozes ‘80s action movie hero charisma and confidence throughout the film. However, this isn’t a one-man-army flick. It’s more of an exploration of human emotions, showing how logical thinking often vanishes whenever emotions are in play.

Once tragedy comes close to home, Eddie’s level of patriotism dwindles, hence he makes choices that are only beneficial to him and his lover. But even though he is risking his career, he is so likable that it’s impossible not to root for him. Stream on YouTube

6 Alsino and the Condor (1982)

Set during Nicaragua’s war with Honduras, Alsino and the Condor examines the conflict from the mind of a little boy. The 12-year-old, Alsino, is amazed by everything that is happening around him, especially the presence of numerous helicopters. One day, an American takes him on a ride to the skies, prompting the boy to try flying by himself. He jumps from a tree only to fall badly and sustain serious injuries that make him a hunchback.

The Intertwining of Innocence and War

Alsino and the Condor is a sad reminder of how war negatively affects the most innocent of souls. Before the conflict, Alsino is shown to be on the right path, but as he watches the mayhem, he starts having strange fantasies. Worse still, no one around him understands what is going on with him, so they never get to correct him before it is too late.

Even so, the movie isn’t all about melancholy. There are various hilarious moments that all stem from Alson’s curiosity and his interactions with various figures that are involved in the war. Stream on YouTube

5 Funny Dirty Little War (1983)

The mayhem in Héctor Olivera’s Funny Dirty Little War kicks off in the early-70s, where Ricardo Guglielmini, the mayor of an Argentine city, plots with Héctor Suprino, a Peronist propagandist, to push the deputy mayor, Ignacio Fuentes, out of office. Ricardo is jealous of Ignacio’s growing popularity, but he underestimates the man.

Upon learning of the plan, Ignacio barricades himself into his office, and soon, members of the Argentine Anticommunist Alliance (AAA), show up to support him, resulting in a shootout with the police. Within no time, the communist guerillas, known as the Monteros, join in, too, causing a full-blown battle to occur.

Gritty and Fast-Paced

Funny Dirty Little War was presumably made for those who understand Latin American politics, but it can still be enjoyed by everyone, thanks to its quick pacing and endless action sequences. One doesn’t need to understand what the characters are fighting for. The shootouts make it easy to forget that this is a political-themed movie. As the clock ticks, the stakes keep getting higher for everyone involved, resulting in a more robust final act. For an ‘80s movie, the special effects are also quite stunning. Stream on Pluto

4 Under Fire (1983)

Under Fire is a story about three journalists in war-torn Nicaragua. One is Alex (played by Gene Hackman), a popular Time Magazine correspondent, the other is Russell (Nick Nolte), a freelance photographer, and the final one is Claire (Joanna Cassidy). There is a love triangle between them as Claire has been dating Alex, but she has now begun sleeping with Russell. However, their real test comes in the form of ethics rather than love. Russ is offered the scoop of a lifetime; a chance to take a picture of the rebel leader. Except the man is dead. The rebels want Alex to capture his body in a way that he still appears alive so that the revolution can continue.

The Thin Line Between Fact and Fiction in the Media

There is plenty of fighting in the movie, but the quagmire that the journalists find themselves in ends up being the most interesting part. When Russ is told that the “fake” photo might win him awards, he claims he has won enough already, but Claire tells him: “But you haven’t won a war.” She obviously is a bad influence on him, but her actions can be excused because it’s because of the pressure she puts on Russ that the rebels end up becoming victorious. Since America is tricked into believing the rebel leader is still alive, they keep sending supplies. Stream on Prime Video

3 It’s Raining on Santiago (1975)

Helvio Soto’s It’s Raining on Santiago details the 1973 Chilean coup d’etat where General Augusto Pinochet overthrew the democratically elected left-wing government and ended up ruling for 17 years. The movie examines events from the perspective of both parties while also looking into the involvement of the CIA since the previous president hadn’t been on good terms with the CIA.

The Importance of Preparation

Many war movies often ignore the “planning aspect” and hastily throw the characters onto the battlefield without a proper backstory. Thankfully, It’s Raining on Santiago dwells a little bit more on the preparation stage, explaining what exactly Pinochet did right to ascend to power. The late-night meetings and the propaganda campaigns are all interesting to watch. As for the few battle scenes, they aren’t as neat as those on other movies on this list, but the performances leave a lot to be desired. Stream on YouTube

2 Innocent Voices (2004)

Luis Mandoki’s Innocent Voices displays the horrors of the El Salvadoran civil war through the eyes of the teenager, Chava (Carlos Pardilla). Throughout the movie, he and some of his contemporaries attempt to avoid getting drafted into the army. Something that gets many of them killed. Having witnessed enough horror, Chava picks the side of the guerrillas and vows to kill as many government soldiers as he can.

Innocent Voices is more like Beasts of No Nation, given how well it explains the “child soldier” menace. In times of conflict, governments or rebel armies of developing nations normally run out of fighters, prompting them to recruit children. It’s an evil practice and one that the movie condemns. After witnessing enough killings, Chava becomes tougher and doesn’t hesitate to slaughter anyone who tries to recruit him. There is, therefore, plenty of action and gore. When the closing credits start rolling, anyone watching feels sad and relieved, rather than entertained. Stream on YouTube

Related: The 10 Finest Performances in Non-American War Movies

1 One Man’s Hero (1999)

Based on actual events, One Man’s Hero follows Irish-born Roman Catholic soldier, Jon Riley (Tom Berenger) during the U.S. war against Mexico in 1848. Riley and his fellow Catholic soldiers are frequently discriminated against by the Protestants (who are the majority in the military), prompting them to defect and join guerrilla leader Cortina (Joaquim de Almeida) in his course.

Joquin de Almeida’s Powerhouse Performance, and the Hypocrisy of Religion

Religion ought to be synonymous with tolerance, but in this case, it’s the genesis of discord. Riley’s plight is depicted in such an emotional manner that audiences might find themselves embracing spiritualism and shunning religious practices such as church-going. Besides that, Joquin de Almeida, who has been comfortable being typecast as a villain throughout his career, impresses here. This time, he isn’t a malefactor, but he sure remains devious. Stream on Tubi TV