Central and South America
The oil-producing states of the Caribbean suffered greatly in the war as they were attacked in order to deny their resources to the enemy. The war and global depression have removed almost all foreign influences, resulting in civil war nearly all the time. Guerrilla groups like Peru’s Shining Path have taken advantage of the opportunity provided to them – and some have even succeeded.
Cuba: Upon his retirement in the mid-1990s, Fidel Castro was replaced by the more moderate Miguel Hernandez. As the Sino-Russian War began Hernandez sided publicly with Russia. When Germany invaded Poland he became ever more nervous and began to fear the wrath of the US due to the presence of Russian troops on the island. In 1998 the partially Marxist PRI/PPS coalition came to power in Mexico, providing the Cubans an opportunity to be rid of their unwanted guests in the form of the Russian “Division Cuba”. The PPS offered Division Cuba a chance to get home in return for a small favor, which the Cubans eagerly supported.
Cuba’s harbors and oil industry suffered in the fighting of 1998-99, but the worst internal problems arose as a result of the mass exodus from the cities in 1998. After a short period of chaos Cuba transformed into an oppressive but functioning system in the name of national survival. The country is organized apart from the cities, which are in anarchy or destroyed. The US base at Guantanamo Bay was evacuated in 1999 and the Cuban Army occupied it in a couple of days. Nowadays it is a large military cantonment.
Nicaragua: Nicaragua survived the war intact, but the economic chaos has taken its toll. Although the government remains a western-oriented democracy, it has been forced to rely upon ever more draconian measures in order to preserve public order. The country is organized, but there are disputed or anarchic areas in the mountains.
Argentina/Brazil: The Argentines tried to seize the Falklands from its nominal British garrison in 1996. Argentina withdrew upon the outbreak of war with Brazil in 1998. After a small-scale nuclear exchange both nations were well on their way towards chaos. The national governments have dissolved and both countries are semi-feudal areas ruled by military juntas or local government representatives.
Other nations: The Amazon region is in anarchy and the coastal communities are usually isolated, while industrial cities are destroyed. Peru is under martial law (military cantonments, isolated and terrorized areas) or under the control of the Shining Path (military cantonments, disputed and terrorized). Colombia, Ecuador, Chile and other countries are organized, isolated, terrorized, disputed or in anarchy.
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