Extractivismo y deuda ecolÓgica en amÉrica latina

Abstract

Primary resources have increased their presence in international trade during the last thirty years, partly due to a structural change in the production model adopted in Latin America in the nineties. Similarly, the increase on Foreign Direct Investment (FDi) addressed to environmental exploitation projects has had a negative impact in relation to the region's indebtedness. That is, while FDi increased for extractive activities, the external debt for the region also increased. The aim of this research is to point out that the current external debt and the Latin American trade primarization coincide with what historically has happened in the region regarding its trade relations with the world. This interaction has generated a steady impoverishment of Latin American nations because they prioritize the exploitation and trade of their natural resources over other productive activities. The method used for this research was a contrast between statistics of economic debt, FDi and regional exports, having as a result a relationship between the increase in the FDi levels in environmental exploitation activities and the increase in levels of external debt. It is concluded that the prioritization of this type of activities has strengthened the structural dependence of Latin America from developed nations and has resulted in a process of economic indebtedness with developed countries. Although, the latter generate an ecological debt with the underdeveloped countries.