Latin America has long been a region of interest and contention for the United States, with headlines often shaping public opinion and influencing political decisions. This was particularly evident during the Spanish-American War of 1898, when sensationalized news stories and propaganda fueled calls for U.S. intervention in Cuba and other Spanish colonies in Latin America. Headlines about Spanish atrocities, such as the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor, and calls for Cuban independence played a major role in rallying support for the war among the American public. The media's portrayal of Latin America as a region in need of rescue from Spanish tyranny helped justify U.S. military intervention and ultimately led to the country's acquisition of territories such as Puerto Rico and the Philippines.
