The arts and cultural expressions were vital forms of resistance against authoritarian regimes in Latin America, offering a voice to the oppressed and acting as a vehicle for social and political critique. Music, literature, theatre, and visual arts often carried subversive messages and became tools for raising awareness and solidarity. For instance, the Nueva Canción movement used music to rally people and convey messages of hope and resistance. Murals and street art depicted the suffering under authoritarian rule and aspirations for freedom. Through metaphors and allegories, writers and poets criticised the regimes and provided a form of intellectual resistance that was difficult to suppress without drawing international condemnation.

Resistance movements had profound and lasting effects on post-authoritarian societies in Latin America. They contributed to a strong civil society foundation, which continued to play a significant role in the new democratic environment. Many of the human rights organisations formed during the resistance became permanent fixtures, advocating for the rights of various groups and influencing policy. Additionally, these movements brought about a greater consciousness and empowerment among the populace, leading to an active public life and the formation of numerous NGOs. The resistance also left a legacy of human rights awareness that would shape the political discourse and legal reforms in the years that followed, ensuring that the memory of past abuses remained alive and served as a deterrent to future violations.

The Cold War significantly impacted resistance to authoritarian regimes in Latin America, as it influenced both the support for and suppression of movements. The United States, fearing the spread of communism, often supported authoritarian regimes that positioned themselves as anti-communist. Conversely, leftist resistance movements sometimes received moral and material support from the Soviet Union or its allies. This geopolitical struggle led to a polarised environment where resistance movements were either bolstered or brutally suppressed based on their perceived alignment with either superpower's ideology. The Cold War's end relaxed international tensions, which sometimes resulted in reduced external support for dictatorships and increased openings for democratic transitions.

Economic conditions played a critical role in both the establishment of authoritarian regimes and the rise of resistance movements in Latin America. Post-World War II, many Latin American countries experienced economic instability, which authoritarian leaders exploited to justify their seizure of power, often promising economic stabilisation. However, their policies frequently led to greater inequality and hardship for the working classes. In response, resistance movements often emerged from economically marginalised groups seeking social justice and economic rights. Economic crises, like hyperinflation, unemployment, and debt, further fuelled popular discontent and resistance, as these conditions undermined the legitimacy of authoritarian regimes and galvanised support for democratic reforms.

International human rights organisations played a supportive role in bolstering local resistance movements in Latin America. They provided a platform for the dissemination of information about human rights abuses, which was crucial in regimes that censored the press and suppressed dissent. Organisations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch highlighted abuses, mobilised international opinion, and sometimes lobbied for sanctions against oppressive governments. They also offered moral and, at times, material support to local activists, helped to document abuses, and trained local groups in nonviolent resistance techniques. This international dimension often gave local movements the legitimacy and exposure needed to pressure authoritarian regimes from both within and outside the country.