on the most part the nixon administration (1969–73) remained positive to the brazilian dictatorship. high growth during the costa e silva and médici years excited brazilian nationalistic hopes for a greater international role—hopes of which the u.s. was supportive, for brazil was still considered to be one of the developing nations most sympathetic to the united states. there was, however, a cooling on both sides. on the u.s. side this was due to fears of being linked with its ally's abuses. it also distressed the u.s. the increased kidnapping risks that its ambassadors and diplomats faced in brazilian territory during those years. the médici tactics of suppression against leftist activists were provoked by the acts of urban socialist guerrillas that began to blossom after the 1964 coup. one of the favorite targets of such groups were u.s. diplomats.