Why would an American president support a military junta over a peasant rebellion?

Answer 1

While it would be admirable for presidents to support the peasants, many world leaders (and not just American presidents) have instead come down on the side of a military junta, or a giant conglomerate, or a corrupt dictator. It has to do with alliances that countries make, and the pragmatism that drives such alliances. For example, some American presidents have believed it was better to have an alliance with a dictator or a junta, since those relationships tend to be stable and guarantee the USA access to oil or minerals or other resources, rather than with the peasants who might be unable to maintain control (or might be unwilling to negotiate a deal that gave the United States access). Again, it should be noted that this has been a problem for other world leaders, and not just American presidents: too often, goals related to trade and commerce have trumped helping the peasants to overthrow a corrupt or brutal government.