Citation

Strat. Comments 2000; 6(6): 1.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/1356788000663

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Five Andean nations - Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia - have descended into violence, rebellion and autocratic rule. Institutions that held these countries together throughout much of the twentieth century have crumbled, while democracy has yet to develop strong roots. Declining economic performance has exacerbated divisions and each government has come under growing pressure from long-excluded, impoverished majorities to grant them greater political power. If left unaddressed, the Andean crises could unravel the entire post-Cold War foundation of democracy, peace, stability and human rights in Latin America.