Troubles
In Latin America
Environmental Problems
1. Latin America has a diverse landscape, creating many
diverse problems.
Environmental Problems
2. Air Pollution is becoming a major issue in Mexico,
especially interior Mexico, like Mexico City.
~Sierra Madre Mountains trap in the polluted air
and it cant be ‘blown’ away
Environmental Problems
3. As Mexico rapidly became industrialized, it didn’t have
the systems in place or the money to plan for pollution.
Environmental Problems
4. Deforestation has been increasing to provide building
materials for the growing populations of Latin America and
to the rest of the world.
~14% of the Amazon Rainforest has been cut down
in the last 50 years
Environmental Problems
5. Deforestation provides many jobs, but also caused stress
on animals and plant life, as well as the natives that inhabit
the area.
Environmental Problems
6. Illegal Timbering is also
becoming an industry since
governments are often paid off
to ignore the issue.
Environmental Problems
7. Water Pollution in oceans,
lakes and streams has increased
in the last 50 years due to illegal
dumping.
8. Due to little enforcement of
the few restrictions on dumping,
many people think that dumping
trash and bio waste into water
systems is a normal practice.
Government Problems
1. South and Central America experienced almost 100 years
of territory conflict.
~Spanish, Portuguese, and French all laid claims to
different areas
Government Problems
2. Eventually most countries won their independence, but
were never strong enough to create a strong and lasting
internal government.
Government Problems
3. Guerillas and Militia groups have overthrown or gained
control of the governments.
Government Problems
4. Governments in general are not trusted by other world
powers as well, creating problems on the global level.
~Brazil with the World Cup and Olympics
Government Problems
5. If people can’t trust their governments, they will turn to
those that can protect them…
6. Governments have also had a strained relationship when
dealing with each other and place taxes on neighboring
countries goods.
~Makes it more expensive for their own citizens
Economic Issues
1. Due to the government instability, the Economic systems
in Latin America are also weak.
Economic Issues
2. Most countries face a low currency exchange so they have
become dollarized, where they prefer to use America money
instead of their own.
Economic Issues
3. Most countries only have a few major industries or crops
for export.
~Venezuela: Oil, and Natural Gas
~ Colombia, Bolivia, Peru: Cash Crops
(single crops that can be sold for profit)
~ Brazil: Cattle and Timber/Lumber
Economic Issues
4. For those countries that rely on cash crops, their
economies are dependent upon weather.
~Drought= no cash crop = no income
Government Problems of
Latin America
5. Some countries, like Colombia,
have turned to growing illegal crops,
such as cocaine.
6. These cash crops are harvested
through elaborate cartel services
transported to other countries whose
populations can afford them.
Drug Cartels
1. Drug Cartel control has moved into Latin America since
the 1940’s due to civil unrest.
Drug Cartels
2. Cartel leaders are extremely sophisticated and detailed in
their organization.
~Systems are more sophisticated than the
governments
Drug Cartels
3. Growers and cartel members very rarely consume their
own crops because they are in the business for profits, not
enjoyment.
4. In general, the crops will increase in value 1,000X by the
time they are sold in the United States.
~If its costs $1 to grow a plant, that plant will make you
$1,000
Drug Cartels
5. Cartels originated in Colombia, but due to widespread
economic downfall in Latin America, they have spread as
far as Mexico.
~Due to Mexico’s climate their cash crop is
Marijuana
Drug Cartels
6. Today, even in The United States, working for a cartel is
financially profitable if you can stay alive or out of jail…
~50% higher murder rate and 87% higher chance of
prison time
Drug Cartels
7. Some drug lords and cartels have been limited in areas,
like Venezuela and Brazil, because their governments are
becoming stronger.
~Until governments have control, Cartels will lead
Population Problems
1. Latin America has a very diverse population due to
Europeans, Africans, and Natives all merging into the same
areas.
~Early Africans were forced into slavery just as in
North America
Population Problems
2. Today’s biggest problems are due to spatial inequality
with the Natives and citizens and the sharing of land
between the two groups.
~Natives are beginning to fight back and reclaim
historical lands
Population Problems
3. Latin American populations are still growing at a fast
rate, and they are outgrowing infrastructure and community
systems
~Favelas, Haitian Slum Towns etc…
Population Problems
4. Less developed countries see high birth and death rates.
~You need to create a lot of babies to make up for all of the
people who die young
Population Problems
5. Education has only recently become a priority, and until it
becomes a norm, many of these problems will continue.