Amid Russia rumours, 7 times USA overthrew foreign governments via CIA operations

A comment by US President Joe Biden has sparked speculation that America might be planning to topple Russian President Vladimir Putin's regime as the Ukraine war stretches on. While visiting Poland on March 26, Biden had said, "For God's sake, Putin cannot remain in power".

Even though the US government has clarified that it has no "strategy" for regime changes in other countries, past instances of the Central Intelligence Agency, or CIA's interference abroad continue to fuel rumours.

Here are some instances of USA's involvement in overthrowal of governments in other countries, as per a Foreign Policy report.

The dethroning of Iran's Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh in 1953 is reportedly the first such incident which the CIA officially admitted. Mossadegh was targeted after nationalising the Iranian oil industry which was being run by British companies, as per reports. He was ousted and put under house arrest for the rest of his life.

In 1954, the CIA was reportedly part of the ouster of Guatemalan President Jacobo Arbenz. The coup occurred after he planned land reforms which risked the holdings of the US-owned United Fruit Company. The CIA reportedly helped rebels and paramilitary personnel, while the US Navy blockaded the Guatemalan coast.

In 1960, the US reportedly targeted Congo Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba. Washington supported Belgium's military action in the country to protect business interests. Lumumba was forced out of office, but tried to militarily fight the Belgians, and sought help from the Soviet Union. The CIA reportedly tried to encourage Congolese elements to assassinate Lumumba. The former PM was reportedly caught in late 1960 and subsequently killed.

In 1961, the CIA reportedly helped dissidents in the Dominican Republic assassinate dictator Rafael Trujillo. The autocrat reportedly orchestrated the genocide of thousands of Haitians in the Dominican Republic. He also tried to have the President of Venezuela killed.

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Vietnam, one of the most infamous spots of US intervention, was the location of the next coup. In 1963, in South Vietnam, the US reportedly became part of a plot against ruler Ngo Dinh Diem. South Vietnamese generals took America's help in assassinating Diem.

In 1964, the US supported a coup against Brazil's President Joao Goulart, considering him a threat for his proximity to Communist countries. America helped Brazilian army chief Humberto Castello Branco stage a coup. The CIA also provided weapons of non-US origin, and other items to those supporting the Army.

In 1973, Chilean President Salvador Allende's government was overthrown by General Augusto Pinochet. Since Allende's election in 1970, the socialist leader had reportedly been opposed by the US, with the CIA working with multiple groups planning a coup against him.