Poverty is still a major problem for most Latin American countries. The implementation of economic policies that are inconsistent with the interests of society in these countries is the cause of the increasing level of poverty there. "Poverty in Latin America is a common phenomenon. This condition is caused by the implementation of policies that do not comply with community interests in Latin America," said Prof. Fernando Hernandez, a faculty of Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexcio on Thursday (10/3) in the Multimedia Room of Faculty of Social and Political Sciences UGM.
According to Hernandez, poverty is also caused by the implementation of policies that just keep the interests of great powers, such as neoliberalism model which aggravates poverty in Latin America since the 80s. "Since the 80s, most Latin American countries have implemented this neoliberalism policy which caused increased poverty in the region," he explained in the discussion held by SiPAL UGM.
Hernandez said that since 1999 there have been changes in Latin America. There was a decline in poverty rates, but not significant. After the economic crisis that hit the region in the 80s, most Latin American people turned themselves by electing leaders who were influenced by socialist ideology. This affected the welfare of Latin American society.
On the occasion, Hernandez said the role of tribal/ indigenous peoples of Latin America in the field of politics and economy is not very visible. Most of leaders in Latin America countries are not from the indigenous community. "For about two hundred years, only three presidents were from Latin American indigenous groups, such as the President of Bolivia, Evo Morales, the President of Mexico, Benito Juarez, and the President of Peru, Alejandro Toledo. This proves that the role of indigenous people in Latin America is still very small in the world of politics," he explained.