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In reply to the discussion: We are the "evil empire" we warned everybody about [View all]geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)What happened up through Poppy Bush was truly awful. Stomach-turning stuff.
The end of the Cold War benefited Central America moreso than it did Eastern Europe, imo. After the US stopped its "oppose Communism regardless of the body count" policy due to the death of Communism, things got a lot better down there.
What strikes me when traveling there is how much Central Americans dislike people from other Central American countries and especially Colombians.
Was with a local guy in Costa Rica, along with a couple from Georgia. Guy from Georiga starts talking about Mexicans and "illegal immigrants" and sounding like a complete racist asshole, because he was a complete racist asshole. I'm feeling really embarrassed, thinking the Tico would be offended at the obvious bigotry towards Latinos. Instead, he says "I know. We have the same problem with the Nicaraguans. They come here, and they steal and kill people."