Anti-government protesters clash with security forces in the surroundings of La Carlota military base in Caracas during the commemoration of May Day on May 1, 2019. [AFP]
South America, also called Latin America is an economic enigma. The region has been free from colonialism for over 200 years. It was under Spanish rule for about 300 years. Brazil was under Portuguese rule from 1500 to 1822.