1 in 17 South American countries is experiencing institutional crises. Photo: Angela Ponce/Portal/Matias Delacroix/AP Photo; Edgard Garrido/Portal; Afonso Ferreira/TV Globo South American countries are experiencing institutional crises. Photo: Angela Ponce/Portal/Matias Delacroix/AP Photo; Edgard Garrido/Portal; Afonso Ferreira/TV Globo
This is just one of the episodes of impending collapse seen in South American countries, including Brazil, where on January 8, 2023 there was a series of attacks against those in power and there were real fears of a coup.
Although the crises in countries such as Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador and Argentina are equally worrying, they have different causes. However, the context shows that South America is not experiencing its best times in political, security and economic matters.
2 of 17 Photo from the meeting of South American countries in Brasília — Photo: Ricardo Stuckert/PR Photo from the meeting of South American countries in Brasília — Photo: Ricardo Stuckert/PR
In the area of security, for example, greater cooperation is proposed in the areas of military industry, doctrine and defense policy, and education and training.
Lula says he is “firmly convinced” of the need to “revive commitment to southern integration.”
Below you will find the most important crises in each country in the region.
3 of 17 soldiers patrol a street with a tank in central Quito, Ecuador, amid growing tensions in the country Photo: Galo Paguay/AFP Soldiers patrol a street with a tank in central Quito, Ecuador, amid growing tensions in the country Country Photo: Galo Paguay/AFP
The crisis in Ecuador, which began with prison riots, is part of a wave of violence that has swept the country since August 2023, when presidential elections, not scheduled to take place until 2025, were brought forward following the dissolution of the National Assembly.
The situation of organized crime in the country has changed in recent decades, as commentator Guga Chacra from explained GloboNews.
“In the past, there was no talk of cartels and organized crime in Ecuador… We must not forget that Ecuador borders the two largest cocaine producers in the world: Colombia and Peru. “Ecuador eventually joined the circle and became an important center for the shipment of this drug to the United States and Europe,” says Guga, pointing out the involvement of criminal groups from Brazil and Europe in this process of international drug trafficking.
In an interview with the 6 p.m. edition of GloboNews, the professor of international relations at FGV/SP said: Oliver Stunkelstated that the collapse of the prison system was another serious problem that culminated in the crisis in Ecuador and that the instability was unlikely to be resolved quickly.
According to him, the situation in Ecuador shows that organized crime in South America is “looking for less protected and more vulnerable countries.” Ecuador, the expert said, was identified as a useful country for cocaine exports due to drug trafficking.
Oliver Stuenkel: Organized crime has adapted by searching for more vulnerable countries
Argentina is experiencing a different situation than countries like Venezuela and Ecuador. The neighboring country of Brazil has been in a deep economic crisis for years, with implications for politics. Recent expectations suggest that the Argentina's monthly inflation rate is expected to rise to 28% in December, according to projections. If confirmed, it would be the highest rate in a month since early 1990.
The forecast of a sharp rise in the price index comes against the backdrop of the challenging scenario facing the country as annual inflation is expected to reach 200%, one of the highest in the world.
4 out of 17 men are arrested during a wave of protests against the reform package announced by Argentine President Javier Milei on December 27, 2023 in Buenos Aires. — Photo: Gustavo Garello/ AP Man is arrested during a wave of protests against the reform package announced by Argentine President Javier Milei on December 27, 2023 in Buenos Aires. — Photo: Gustavo Garello/AP
The controversial measures sparked waves of protests and clashes with police in several Argentine cities.
5 of 17 The President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, shortly after the referendum on Guyana Photo: Matias Delacroix / AP Photo The President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, shortly after the referendum on Guyana Photo: Matias Delacroix / AP Photo
On this occasion, Guaidó was recognized by the governments of Brazil and the United States, among others.
6 of 17 Bolivarian militias defended polling stations during the Essequibo referendum in Venezuela. Photo: GETTY IMAGES Bolivarian militias defended polling stations during the Essequibo referendum in Venezuela. — Photo: GETTY IMAGES
In December 2023, Venezuelans rejected the International Court of Justice's jurisdiction over the country's longstanding territorial dispute with neighboring Guyana in a referendum and supported the creation of a new state in the Essequibo region.
7 out of 17 Fantastic traveled to Guyana to see the Essequibo region up close. — Photo: TV Globo/Reproduction Fantástico traveled to Guyana to see the Essequibo region up close. — Photo: TV Globo/Reproduction
The Essequibo region is located in the westernmost part of the territory of Guyana and covers 159,000 km² and accounts for around 70% of the country's area. In 2015, large oil reserves were discovered in the region.
According to estimates, Guyana has the equivalent of 11 billion barrels, a significant part of which is located “offshore”, i.e. at sea, near Essequibo. Due to the oil boom, Guyana is the South American country whose economy has grown the most in recent years. The situation eased when Maduro and Guyana's President Irfaan Ali met at an event brokered by Brazil and agreed on a ban on the use of force.
Better understand the conflict between Venezuela and Guyana
8 of 17 The coup attempts took place on January 8th, when vandals invaded the headquarters of the Three Powers in Brasília Photo: Jornal Nacional/ Reproduction The coup attempts took place on January 8th, when vandals invaded the headquarters of the Three Powers. in Brasília Photo: Jornal Nacional/ Reproduction
However, a standoff led to army and military police troops confronting each other near the barracks.
Documentary “8/1 Democracy Resists” unpublished images from January 8, 2023
9 of 17 armored police vehicles were set on fire in a clash in Santiago Photo: Esteban Felt/AP Armored police vehicles were set on fire in a clash in Santiago Photo: Esteban Felt/AP
At the end of 2021, the leftwing candidate Gabriel Boric was elected president of Chile. The new government's biggest controversy so far has been the proposed constitutional change through a referendum.
10 out of 17 sniffer dogs are even used on customers of shopping centers in Colombia Photo: GETTY IMAGES Sniffer dogs are even used on customers of shopping centers in Colombia Photo: GETTY IMAGES
Colombians have been trying for years to free themselves from the trauma of drug trafficking in the country. There was a strengthening of the state, but also of the country lives in constant alert state due to the history of armed conflicts that peaked in the 1990s.
11 of 17 Luis Manuel Díaz, father of Luis Díaz from Liverpool, is released from captivity on November 9, 2023 Photo: Ivan Valencia/AP Luis Manuel Díaz, father of Luis Díaz from Liverpool, is released from captivity on November 9, 2023 Released from captivity November 9, 2023 Photo: Ivan Valencia/AP
According to the government, the kidnapping was an attempt by the armed group to raise funds, but it interrupted peace talks that the ELN, a group that has killed 450,000 people in 60 years of operation, have since held with the Colombian government had led last year.
The video shows the moment Ecuador's presidential candidate is assassinated
The involvement of Colombians in crimes against politicians from other countries is no coincidence, according to researchers studying Colombia. The country has had decades of conflict with various groups, some of which specialized and began operating outside the country.
12 of 17 Antigovernment protesters clash with police during a nationwide protest calling for the resignation of Peruvian President Dina Boluarte in Lima, Peru Photo: Angela Ponce/Portal Antigovernment protesters clash with police during a nationwide protest calling for Peru's resignation Police with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte in Lima, Peru Photo: Angela Ponce/Portal 13 of 17 Image of Evo Morales during an interview on January 6, 2020 Photo: Matias Baglietto/Portal Image of Evo Morales during an interview on January 6 January 2020 2020 Photo: Matias Baglietto/Portal
In the middle of last year, Morales announced his candidacy amid growing tensions with the government of his former political partner Luis Arce.
14 of 17 Parliamentarians attack each other by kicking, punching and pulling their hair during a session of the Bolivian Congress Photo: AFP Reproduction Parliamentarians attack each other by kicking, punching and pulling their hair during a session of the Bolivian Congress Photo: AFP reproduction
Paraguayans don't experience the same political unrest as their neighbors, but the country also suffers from a problem that is almost widespread in South America: the corruption.
15 of 17 Weapons seized in Paraguay during the operation against the gang commanded by Diego Dirísio Photo: Disclosure Weapons seized in Paraguay during the operation against the gang commanded by Diego Dirísio Photo: Disclosure
At Dimabel, the Paraguayan authority responsible for controlling, monitoring and approving the use of weapons, the persecuted hold the positions of lieutenant, general, colonel and captain.
16 of 17 Riots on the streets of Paramaribo Photo: Rinus Baes/Portal Riots on the streets of Paramaribo Photo: Rinus Baes/Portal
Between 1,000 and 2,000 people gathered in the center of the capital Paramaribo in the morning to protest against rising food, gasoline and electricity prices and accuse President Chan Santokhi's government of corruption.
17 of 17 Protest over the dramatic water crisis that leaves Uruguay without drinking water on May 31, 2023 Photo: AP Matilde Campodonico Protest over the dramatic water crisis that leaves Uruguay without drinking water on May 31, 2023 Photo: AP Matilde Campodonico
Uruguay, a country that also borders Brazil, is currently experiencing a period without major political or security crises that could threaten the country's stability. The most difficult situation Uruguayans faced last year was weatherrelated.
Due to a historic water crisis and belowaverage rainfall, reservoirs began to dry up and the population was forced to use brackish water.
French Guiana, which is also part of South America, is not a country but an overseas territory of France. Located in the northeast of the Amazon, French Guiana is 98% covered by forest and the Guiana Amazon Park, the largest in France, occupies almost half of the overseas territory.