Latin American Political Systems and Issues Today Cypress Woods HS World Geography

History of Political Systems Most Latin American countries were ruled by caudillos until the later part of the 20th century. Caudillos were either military dictators and men kept in power by the support of the military. They were often absolute rulers. Some important caudillos included Simon Bolivar of Venezuela and Juan Peron of Argentina. Fidel Castro of Cuba can also be considered a modern day caudillo. Simon Bolivar Juan and Eva Peron

Political Systems Today World in 1965, blue is democratic, red is some form of populist dictatorship Latin America has become increasingly democratic World in 2003, blue is democratic, red is some form of populist dictatorship

Question Which countries in Latin America are not democracies? Cuba and Venezuela Cuba is a communist dictatorship Venezuela is socialist

Cuba and Castro Though Fidel has stepped down from power and handed day to day control to his brother Raul, he still runs the country.

Cuba What do you think will happen to Cuba once Castro dies? Will it become a democracy? Stay communist?

New Cuban Policy President Obama has recently stated that the U.S. needs to change its outdated policy towards Cuba. Although many segments of society agree, not everyone agrees. Click on pics to see videos

Venezuela A socialist country, was controlled by Hugo Chavez from 1999 until his death in 2013. Most of its wealth comes from oil. Has strong ties to other leftist countries like Bolivia and Cuba.

Successful Democracies The “cone” countries of Chile, Argentina and Uruguay are the most successful countries in South America. They have strong economies and are considered democratic. Brazil is beginning to do well also. Presidents of Argentina, Chile & Brazil

Important World Leaders from Latin America First Native American president of Latin America, Evo Morales of Bolivia. First Roman Catholic pope from the Americas, Francis of Argentina.

Drug War

Colombia to Mexico Since the 1990s, the control of Latin America’s drug trade has moved from Colombia to Mexico, primarily due to the defeat of the cartels and destruction of the coca crops by government forces.

Drug War According to this political cartoon, what role does the U.S. play in the drug war? Click on cartoon above to see LA Times Special report on the Mexican drug war

Drug War Click on map to see how drugs flow throughout the U.S.

Drug War What can be done to end the drug war in the U.S.? What have some states recently done to combat it? Click on map to see video

Drug Abuse States in red have most problems with drugs