Final answer:
The 'subversive fish' and the 'red fish' are symbolic terms used in the context of Brazilian Armed Forces operations against those perceived as communist sympathizers. The wider Cold War era saw many interventions by the CIA to prevent the spread of communism in Latin America. These efforts, like the Bay of Pigs Invasion, often did not go as planned and sometimes backfired, increasing local support for targeted governments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reference to 'subversive fish' in the Brazilian Armed Forces operation is an allegory for attempts to root out those who were considered threats to the government, possibly due to perceived communist sympathies. The 'red fish' in this context symbolically represents individuals or groups with leftist ideologies aiming to remodel Brazil along the lines of communist Cuba. The Brazilian Communist Party might have viewed such revolutionary ideas differently, focusing on the role of the party and criticizing individualistic heroism.
During the Cold War era, there was significant fear and resistance in Latin America and the US to the spread of communism. The CIA backed several operations, including the infamous Bay of Pigs Invasion, in attempts to counter communist movements. This operation was a failure and served only to strengthen the resolve of Cuba's government under Fidel Castro. The concept of a popular uprising against left-leaning leaders often lacked an understanding of the local support for these leaders and the resistance to US intervention.