South America

Following the Third World War, many countries in South America have been widely changed by the events. The general situation in these countries is detailed below.

Venezuela
Spared from the chaos in it's neighbouring countries, Venezuela remained a strong force in the South America region throughout World War Three, and has been a stabilising and aiding presence in the area following the end of the war, providing aid to neighbouring countries, especially to countries affected by the 2010 Hurricanes.

Venezuela also remains an important producer of oil in the region, with large sources of conventional and non-conventional oil production, as well as natural gas production. This makes it a powerful economic force in the post-war world, and a leading nation in global policies as a result. The Venezuelan government also currently holds national treaties with a large number of other nations in return for continued receipt of oil and petroleum resources, whcih secure it from hostile actions and overthrows, and secures national aid if and when it would be needed.

Venezuela also maintains a modern, flexible and powerful military force, equipped with modern equipment and capable of considerable force projection.

Colombia
Always plagued by internal strife, and most of it stemming from the trades in illegal narcotics and their controlling drug cartels, Colombia was violently consumed in World War Three, as the government struggled to maintain control as guerrilla groups and heavily-armed drug cartels used the conflict as an excuse to wrest their own independence away from the government, and to take action against policing of the drug trade. With no financial or military support from other countries, the government was forced to try and deal with the situation itself, resulting in a civil war between multiple fronts. Massive relocation occurred, as civilians either left the country, or relocated to areas they perceived to have greater protection, which further resulted in areas of the country lost to government control.

Presently, Colombia is split into areas that are virtually kingdoms controlled by competing cartels, who are now equipped with potent military hardware, supplied either by soldiers turned over to their side, or from independent sources and hired Mercenary groups with lesser morals than others. The government continues to control a large area of the country, supported by it's reorganised National Police and Military forces, which are highly trained and very strict in authority, although the country is looking for aid and assistance in stemming the drug trade across its' borders.

Brazil
Brazil was subject to an election in the opening year of the war, and was spared from the fighting for the most part, only involved by contributing troops to deployments overseas. The result of the election ushered in a president welcoming development and contributions from external developers and corporations, allowing for an influx of industry and employment to the country, and boosting a rise in development. The country has since modernised all of it's domestic services, education, medical care, and similar industries, and instituted a system of distributing aid and wealth, as well as employment to those less privileged classes, as well as redevelopment of the infamous slum areas, sponsored and financed by agreement with corporations.

This has resulted in the government depending on corporate money and agreements for all of it's spending, and ending up in debt to those same corporations, leading to corporate domination of the government and the country, and virtual control of policy, defence, and other key sectors by corporate interest - however, the country has definitely received an increase in the quality of life and overall conditions, at the cost of independence and a 'true' government.

As a result of corporate interest, Brazil has also become a key player for technological development in the areas of computing systems, consumer electronics, defence systems, materials construction and communications infrastructure, mainly through the presence of the global corporation MultiCorp, and their HQ being in-country. Other key industries include rubber, paper, raw mineral and metal resources, medicines and foods, all of which are vital in the global economy.

Brazils' scientific community is also fuelled by it's huge corporate sector and presence, resulting in rapid developments in space technology, and research into alternative energy sources and production. The country is the largest space agency and space program in Latin America, and conducts many private and government space launches per year.

Militarily, Brazil is also a strong country, with large forces using modern equipment and weapon systems, as well as possessing it's own aircraft carrier and air wing.

The military are also involved with internal security against the (admittedly falling) crime rates and narcotics trade.

Ecuador
Ecuador was, like most other countries of South America, spared much of the destruction and violence of the Third World War, and has remained mostly untouched. The only incidents of note, are that the country underwent a political upheaval after the population lost confidence in their presidents' ability to govern effectively, and a new president was elected, who better represented the peoples' interests, regarding issues such as land use, trade and tax.

Ecuador has been a stable presence since this time, and has only been affected by border conflicts and ongoing problems with smuggling narcotics for export into the country from the neighbouring unstable state of Columbia. Agreements have been reached with the remaining government of Columbia to combat the Cartels in control of large portions of the country, in order to restore Government control of the country, as this will help to stem the rising drug use and crime in Ecuador.

Guyana
Having little-to-no natural resources of note, and no real military power or strategic qualities of note, Guayana was untouched by the War. With no large national miltiary or forces to contribute to the fighting, the only incident of note occurred when a Soviet ship moored off the coast in an attempt to threaten the country, and was instead bombarded with howitzers and field artillery from land positions and sunk. The survivors were rescued by the Guyana defence forces and emergency services, and later released into US custody.

Since then, the country has been peaceful, and has continued to trade in exporting food products and textiles, as well as steadily increasing it's economy for such products.

Suriname
After being wracked by civil war throughout the 90's, the democratic government retook power and gained support during the declining period of the Third World War, and finally assumed control and power. This lead to widespread reforms, and the beginning of an upward trend for the countries' economy, after exploiting it's local reserves of gold and oil, and the continuation of its' business in exporting it's other resources of Shrimp, Bauxite, Rice and Bananas. Unfortunately, the country is now gripped by inflation following the war and the lack of development funds has materialised. The country is currently trying to reorganise it's economy and progress with already started programmes of development.

As a downside to this, crime rates are rising in the country, and the population is uneasy, leading to the potential for violence or an overthrow in the near future, as the rates of unemployment continue to fall. The government is currently looking for foreign investment to jump-start it's economic growth. The only other interest in the country comes from the trade in cocaine, which is an ongoing concern for the country.

French Guiana
A dependency and colony of France, French Guiana was affected by the war, in that it suffered from a lack of support in defense and economic matters. The country was not directly attacked, and supported France in the launch of satellites from the Space Centre located in-country, as well as sending troops to reinforce French troops fighting in Europe and elsewhere.

Following the end of the war, the country is still a stable nation, with little internal problems beyond illegal prospecting and mining of gold and other natural resources, and some minor conflicts over borders with Brazil.

Peru
A stable nation, albeit one plagued with internal strife and problems, Peru supported the USA and it's allies in the War with troops sent to fight on the European front, as well as intelligence information it acquired. While the country came under no direct attack, the internal guerrilla groups and nacotics traffickers proved problems during the war, and may have been covertly supported or supplied with weapons by the KGB or other Soviet agencies (this has never been conclusively proved). In the current day, Peru is still plagued with internal problems from narcotrafficking and guerrilla groups, and is still battling these problems, while also battling accusations of human rights violations with regard to it's treatment of guerrilla prisoners and dealing with hostage situations. Scandals are also a semi-constant problem with the government, to the point that the next elections will be overseen by a committee of individuals from independent nations. Generally though, the country is seeing great improvement.

Chile
After a turbulent period marked by human rights atrocities and violence in the 70's and 80's, the 1990s saw a period of great reform and peace for Chile, resulting in growth of personal freedoms and a growth in the economy and financial wealth of the country. Chile is a supporter of the USA and the Pacific Alliance, and as such was involved in naval operations against Soviet Forces, and was engaged in several naval battles, independently and alongside US and other forces, but suffered no damage to it's own territory during the war itself.

Following the War, Chile has enjoyed a peaceful state, and has rendered aid to other countries, including peacekeeping operations and disaster relief.

Currently, Chile is also an exporter for copper, fish, seafood, wine, fruit and crops, as well as emerging industries in electronics and defence technologies, as the country welcomes foreign investment and companies.

Chile maintains a strong and modern military, which is well regarded outside its' borders, and as mentioned, has served overseas.

Bolivia
Bolivia was stable and prosperous for the most part during World War Three, and only suffered problems internally from rioting following issues over coca (the plant that is refined to produce cocaine) farming - the plant is legal in Bolivia, when unrefined into cocaine - and the eradication of illegal crops. The mass unemployment that followed lead to tensions among the people, and were exacerbated when the current government allowed foreign companies to exploit the natural gas reserves within the country, against the wishes of the people. The situation continued following the war, and Mercenary groups have been hired by the corporations, backed by the government, to ensure the supplies are kept on time, resulting in civilian casualties.

The conflict in country is still strong, and the current president has resigned, forcing an emergency election. No clear winner has been chosen yet, and the country is currently under the administration of an emergecy coalition government. Despite large reserves of natural gas, Bolivia remains one of the poorest countries in the world, and least developed in South America. This is despite being rich in natural resources, however many corporations, especially MultiCorp, have made overtures to the government and approached them with deals to mine and sell their wealth in return for development. Currently, the Bolivian Governments' situation had made this untenable, but the upcoming election may change this.

Uruguay
A secure and stable country, Uruguay is a peaceful country experiencing ecnomic stability and a great quality of life in general. Unaffected by the war beyond sending troops overseas to fight in the Middle East, and providing relief and support to nations devastated by the fighting, Uruguay is still a peaceful nation.

Major changes came in privatization of the oil, water and gas companies of Uruguay. This has lead to significant foreign interest and investment in the country, but it remains free of corporate interference in it's internal politics and policies, unlike neighbouring countries.

Paraguay
Paraguay experienced upheaval in it's government at the end of the 1990's, with the first free elections held in the country for decades. The elected representative was later deemed to have conducted unjust and unconstitutional actions, and was forced to resign from office after rioting and a tense atmosphere were present in the country. After intense turmoil, the government finally emerged with a democratic, constitutional government in power of a peaceful nation, that had survived the war with no casualties or damage.

The country is growing in industrial production, particularly in the areas of medicine and pharmaceutical products, as well as edible oils, textiles and meat and steel processing.

Despite an advancing economy and growing financial standing, the military forces of Paraguay remain equipped with outdated and mostly obsolete equipment. The government is looking to update it's forces, and is accepting tenders from a variety of countries and organisations to meet its' aims.

Argentina
Stable politically and economically during the war, Argentinas' only changes occured when the country retook the Flakland Islands following weakened UK positions on the islands, and also committing troops to the ground war in relief of US troops in the southern US states. Argentinian troops and aircraft also attacked key positions in Cuba, Nicuragua, and Mexico to end the fighting in the USA, working alongside Brazilian Naval and Air Forces in this operation. Following the end of hostilities, the Argentinian military continues to maintain a peacekeeping presence, as well as humanitarian aid efforts in the Carribbean and Central America.

The country is a strong political and financial force in South America, and is one of the key stabilising influences on the region, and an important financial and political player in global events following the war, as it maintains both a strong economy, as well as a military with global reach, and resources important to continued world trade and prosperity. Currently, Argentina is one of the key nations in the UN.