With vast natural resources, how could this be? On paper, South America should be a thriving economy, yet it's the exact opposite today. United Fruits anyone?

With vast natural resources, how could this be? On paper, South America should be a thriving economy, yet it's the exact opposite today. United Fruits anyone? Delmont? Petrol? A stage to launch billions of tax payer money to build failing institutions on a failed notion-to rid society of some evil by declaring it illegal and creating an underground monopolies that ultimately controls their host like a parasite while slowly sucking out life. It's tragic and it's unfair to the people and culture of this region. But who is going to be held responsible? How do you un-spill water?