In early 2011, the Gran Torre Santiago became the tallest building in South America. Planned to reach a height of 980ft (300m), the building struggled through stalled construction during the global economic downturn from 2008–2009. Only a few blocks away, the Titanium La Portada previously held the title of the tallest building in Chile at…
Latin America as a region accounts for more than three trillion dollars annually. Of course, Brazil is a powerhouse economically; however, as indicated by the charts below, the Amazonian nation suffers from a chronically now income per capita. Peru, Uruguay, Colombia, and Chile are all expected to have growth rates over 5% annually. Argentina has…
Last week a train accident in Buenos Aires claimed the lives of 50 individuals. While the event is obviously intensely mournful, much of the emotion within Argentina also includes a high level of frustration over the system and society which allowed this to happen. Argentinian culture is known for being proud. Nationalism has been the…
Bolivia has enjoyed nearly 190 years of independence from Spain. Unfortunately, leadership of the country during those years may be best defined as “tumultuous.” Violence, coups, and civil wars have been far too common place throughout the nation’s story, as evidenced by the sheer number of leaders who have carried the burden of authority in…
With the introduction of the Monroe Doctrine in 1823, influence from outside powers in Central and South America had been strategically limited to the United States. It is a doctrine that shaped the Cold War, and has served to deter international meddling in Central and South America. Recently, influence is growing from unexpected regions; notably, from…
US Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) expressed concern for the rule of law in Nicaragua during confirmation hearings on February 7 to determine the next US Ambassador for a handful of Latin American countries. During confirmation hearings before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Phyllis Powers said that she would “speak clear and with conviction about the…
His full name is Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios Ponte y Blanco, and his legacy is equally voluminous. Born on July 24, 1783, he was serendipitously raised in an age of revolutions, and was one of the key leaders in the struggle for independence from Spain which would spread throughout…
There is concern in Venezuela about the direction the country is moving politically, and Venezuelan governor Henrique Capriles is beginning to represent hope for opposition groups. As mayor of Caracas, Henrique was targeted by the administration for not doing enough to suppress protests against the Cuban embassy in 2002, and was charged with fomenting violence;…
From the United States Library of Congress, this image shows a Chilean flag flying in front of the Pan American Building in Washington DC on May of 1943. Chile was neutral for most of WWII, although relations with the Axis were broken in 1943 which is possibly the reason this photograph was staged. Eventually, Chile…
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