Relations between the United States and the countries of Latin America have frequently been strained; since the Mexican War, the United States has often intervened militarily in Latin America. President Kennedy attempted to make American intervention there more benevolent through the Alliance for Progress, a coalition of democratic nations in the Western Hemisphere aimed at economic development through cooperation. However, this aid was unable to solve the problems confronting these societies, and four Latin American governments were overthrown in seven months, with potentially four more to follow.

In one of his few criticisms of JFK, Herblock chastises him for not taking a strong stand to save democracy in the region. George McBungle is McGeorge Bundy, JFK’s national security advisor, and Martin is Edwin McCammon Martin, assistant secretary for Latin American affairs.