Brazil Coup: Operation Brother Sam

The US supported the military coup that overthrew elected President João Goulart of Brazil on March 31–April 1, 1964. US Ambassador Lincoln Gordon sent a cable to Washington requesting recognition of the new military government before Goulart had even left the country. Operation Brother Sam positioned a US naval task force off the Brazilian coast to support the coup if needed. The military dictatorship that followed lasted 21 years (1964–1985).