But the US lost most of its influence in Latin America over the past 15 years, and the region has done quite well, with a sharp reduction in poverty for the first time in decades.
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Read "Confessions of an Economic Hit Man" to understand why this is true.
Once corporate thugs, backed by their equally bullying government, are forced to play fairly, or are ejected from the game altogether, it's amazing how well a country can prosper.