1. Post-WWII Themes in Latin America

2. Flirtations with socialism/communism/Marxism
From 1945 to the present, several L.A. nations have experimented with socialism at one time or another
This is most likely due to the poor economy in many L.A. nations, as socialism promises to alleviate the suffering of the poor masses
Cuba (‘59-Present), Chile (‘70-73), Guatemala (‘50s), Brazil (‘60s), to name a few

3. Political instability/dictatorship/juntas/revolutions/civil wars
After WWII, there were multiple revolutions & civil wars in L.A. countries
Many of the wars centered on Cold War politics
It was not uncommon for a single country to experience democracy, communism, junta all within one generation

4. Latin America in the 21st Century
After the fall of communism in the 1990s, many areas democratized & adopted free trade practices
Many countries’ economies greatly expanded
Largest economies in the world based on GDP: Brazil (7), Mexico (14), Argentina (26), Venezuela (31), Colombia (32), Chile (36), Peru (47)

5. Current Challenges
The War on Drugs: beginning in the 1980s, drugs such as marijuana & cocaine began flowing into the West from S. American nations
Drug cartels have become a HUGE problem in some nations, & have complicated relations with the U.S.

6. Current Challenges (cont.)
The persistence of dictators & un-democratic regimes: Cuba & Venezuela
Though not as common as the 20th century, there are frequent coup attempts & bloodshed
Pink Tide: Since 2000, many countries have once again flirted with socialism (hence the name “pink” because it is not fully “red” like communism)
According to a 2005 BBC report, 75% of Latin Americans now live in “pink” countries