End Venezuela Sanctions Says Rep. Ro Khanna and 15 Progressive Democrats

[Judi Lynn]

9. It's disgusting knowing Otto Reich, who engaged in illegal propaganda for Reagan, remains:

JUNE 8, 2001
The Return of Otto Reich
JEFF COHEN

In totalitarian countries, government propaganda officers wield great power. They’re authorized to use the media to stir up state-sanctioned passions and fears through the selective dissemination of information — sometimes factual, sometimes phony.

If you think the United States has never employed propaganda officers, meet Otto Reich. He may soon be our country’s chief diplomat in Latin America if the Bush administration has its way.

In March, Bush announced his intention to nominate Reich as assistant secretary of state for the Western Hemisphere. If he’s officially nominated, it will be interesting to see how journalists handle Reich — because from 1983 through 1986, it was Reich’s job to handle journalists. That’s when he commanded the State Department’s Office of Public Diplomacy, whose main mission was to inflame fears about Nicaragua and its left-wing Sandinista government that had come to power by overthrowing a corrupt, U.S.-supported dictator.

By covertly disseminating intelligence leaks to journalists, Reich and the OPD sought to trump up a Nicaraguan “threat,” and to sanctify the U.S.-backed Contra guerrillas fighting Nicaragua’s government as “freedom fighters.” The propaganda was aimed at influencing Congress to continue to fund the Contras.

More:
https://fair.org/article/the-return-of-otto-reich/

You may remember that When Bush tried to ram Reich down the Senate's throats, they didn't go for it, and Bush had to get his way by slipping Reich into place through a recess appointment. That showed 'em.

And he is still engaged in LatAm relations even now, a nasty guy who will not go away.