Latin America has an influential and conflicting history of extractivism. With a substantial and permanent participation in the global expansion of capitalism and the modern industrial world, the region constitutes a distinctive setting to examine the political, social, and environmental implications of resource extraction.
This map has been created in collaboration with students from Professor Rosas Buendia’s Spring 2024 course on environmental humanities. The information compiled by students about this selection of relevant commodities has been mapped out according to the countries in which they are extracted. The map shows commodities that experienced a boom and bust cycle in past centuries or decades, as well as cases of contemporary resources with a long or recent extractive history. Written by the students as part of a class assignment, you will find a general description of each case. In addition, the impressions and opinions of the students about the cases they researched are displayed below the map.
It is interesting to consider the idea of sovereignty and independence in the context of the extraction of natural resources in a country or region. For example, in Mexico, the motto of the state-owned business PEMEX is “for the recovery of sovereignty” regarding petroleum. These industries not only have a direct impact on the economy and the environment. Rather, this research emphasizes the incredible influence of these resources on culture and national perceptions not only from an international perspective, but also an internal one that is more than jobs and infrastructure.
Kyle Robinson
I found the case of coffee production in Colombia surprising because it showed that the global problem of climate change has such a drastic effect on small farms. In addition, I believe that this case is important to learn about because it can help us be more mindful about where we buy coffee and what the sellers are doing to support the producers and the enviroment. The case also teaches us that our coffee consumption will decrease by 50% as a result of climate change and farmers leaving the industry in the next fifty years if we don’t make a global change.
Zoe Glickman
I learned a lot about corruption within Guatemala’s government and how common it is for the legislation to be influenced by big industries. I know that happens in every country, but to see evidence of palm oil companies blatantly bribing politicians to avoid labor and export taxes was astounding. Understanding how widespread corruption is across departments and factions, and how other officials participated and encouraged the spending of taxpayer money for personal expenses, really opened my eyes to how complex and convoluted the idea of “fixing” a corrupt government is.
Aubree Goff
For me, learning more about the history of sugar exports in the Caribbean, especially with respect to commodities and economies that are intertwined and related to the United States, is very interesting. It is important for me to know about these international relationships among countries as I plan to work in a company that has many international markets. I think the most surprising thing for me was that although colonialism generally has a negative connotation, in reference to the supplied text, some of the effects were actually positive and helped small Puerto Rican producers.
Amanda Johnston
It surprised me that cacao played a large role in the history of Ecuador, including in Ecuador’s ancient rituals and meals (for example, I didn’t know there was such a thing as cacao soup). I didn’t know that cacao was cultivated in Ecuador a long time before cacao was grown in Mexico or other parts of central America. I also didn’t know that Ecuador was still one of the largest producers of cacao beans in the world. It’s important to know about this case because the workers in these countries can often be dehumanized by the global demand for the products extracted from them, like cacao from Ecuador. The labor strike (on behalf of the railroad workers) in Ecuador in the 1920s also show that the dehumanization of workers did not only apply to the cacao industry.
Adair Garrett
Transnational meat corporations in Brazil are part of the machinery that this market represents on an international scale. According to Margarita Olivera, researcher at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, the top 10 beef exporters in the world control 96% of sales. Additionally, the United States, Japan, Russia, and the European Union are the recipients of 65% of exported meat (being international suppliers themselves). Hence, this is one of the most concentrated commercial flows. Brazilian corporations like JBS-Friboi, Marfrig, and Brazil Foods are part of the global meat oligopoly, responsible for the dizzying development of the industry in the South American giant, but also for forms of modern slavery, capital concentration, deforestation, and destruction of biomes such as the Amazon.
Lía Fleites Claro
In general, I really enjoyed learning about rubber fever and its effects on the Amazon. As I read, I found myself drawing many connections with the abuse of black slaves on plantations throughout the South. The sheer scale and speed of the abuse of the indigenous populations by the rubber industry was shocking. The speedy collapse of native populations by the rubber industry speaks to the evil nature of the practice. I think that the story of the rubber fever in the Amazon can teach us a lot about the dangers of unchecked Capitalism and is an example of the extractive legacy of colonialism that can still be felt today.
Ryan Eiler
Lithium is an important resource today, because the demand for it has increased so much. I think that it serves as a microcosm of the controversies and considerations in economic, political, historical and environmental contexts. The government of Bolivia is an example of a Pink Tide movement, where a leftist party has more influence and wants to implement policies that promote protectionism. It is interesting because there are shortcomings that make foreign investment necessary to develop their industries. If Bolivia invites Chinese firms, how will the United States react? The geopolitical implications are immense.
Cole Page
The cinchona case shows the intricate web of colonial governance, where power dynamics intersect with the extraction of natural resources. This case shows the importance of local knowledge, shedding light on how information manipulation becomes a potent tool in resisting oppressive systems. Personally, what struck me as surprising is the agency demonstrated by local actors, particularly La Guardia, who skillfully navigated the hierarchical system to challenge established norms. Understanding this historical case is crucial in unraveling the deep-seated roots of environmental exploitation and in acknowledging the resilience of marginalized communities. It prompts contemplation on the ongoing struggle for ecological justice and emphasizes the need for sustainable, community-centric approaches to resource management. This historical narrative becomes a compelling lens through which to examine the intersectionality of power, knowledge, and environmental justice.
Rhea Shukla
The discovery, production, and global markets of colonial cinchona production is a narrative marked by fables written by colonial powers and the mountainous figures of the production of this plant. The malaria epidemic experienced by colonial powers in their holding had a global impact on communities and economies. It is fascinating to me that cinchona, an unassuming plant from the high mountains of the Andes, had the power and importance of shaping colonial conquest for several centuries. What’s even more interesting is the dependence of native workers on the meager salaries they received from their colonial oppressors. The environmental concerns of parties involved were shaped by the perspectives they held, and their varying roles as oppressor and oppressed. The cinchona story prompts us to take a look at how we view resource extraction, production, and environmental concerns in the context of community livelihoods.
Aditi Venkatesh
The story of the Brazilian gold rush offers an interesting look into some of the historical forces that contributed to Brazil’s current cultural and political state. I found particularly interesting to learn about the differences between slave control in the gold mining cities and Brazil’s sugar farms and agricultural areas further north. Additionally, I learned how the gold rush was influential in Brazilian political history, as it shifted power south, and Rio de Janeiro became the capital of the country. Brazilians profiting from the gold emerged as a new elite, creating wealth inequality and also greater overall spending power for the populace.
Mira Kaufman
It was very surprising to me that despite the political instability of the early Peruvian government, more developed European countries were still willing to lend them large sums of money because the value and quantity of guano that it possessed. The other countries had no reason to believe that Peru would pay them back yet still lent their money because they knew that the threat of major loss in revenue from the disruption of the guano trade would be enough to enforce their repayment. Guano was the resource that truly introduced the country to the global market, serving as a stable footing for its turbulent beginning.
Nicole Bridges
When I found out that Uruguay is one of the main exporters of beef in the world I was very surprised. It was even more surprising that a small city, Fray Bentos, in a way, served as a second capital of Uruguay giving a stable job through farming to the majority of the Uruguayan people. I also learned that farming is one of the most essential GDP industries in Uruguay. Being such a small country it is crazy to think about how big of an impact Uruguay has had on the beef industry and beef cultures all around the world, and the large-scale provision of beef that it globally provides.
Derek Siegel
I was not aware of the history of oil exploitation in Venezuela before doing my research for this project. What surprised me most is the story of Venezuela’s rise and fall from power. From the discovery of their vast oil deposits over 100 years ago, they have extracted and controlled it at alarming rates (over 300 billion barrels in reserve today). The very same petroleum which fueled their prosperity is what caused their downfall in the end. This story teaches us that even in times of great prosperity, we must be mindful to make sure our way of life is sustainable.
Jas Brar