The three southernmost nations of Latin America were near political paralysis last week. Chile, already polarized by a conflict between left and right, was jarred by an abortive army coup. Widespread terrorism persisted in Argentina, following the return to Buenos Aires of ex-Dictator Juan PerĂ³n. In Uruguay, a successful military coup brought at least a temporary end to republican government. All in all, it was a sad and humiliating time for three countries that had seemed to embody many of the continent's best hopes for development and democracy.
CHILE: RIGHT-WING REVOLT
At 9 a.m. last Friday, four tanks and about 100...