The US has had hands in Chile and Panama. They’re doing pretty well. We haven’t touched Argentina or Uruguay or Bolivia. Uruguay is doing well, the other two not so much. The U.K. and France and others had their hands in the US, we’ve done okay. [and let’s not ignore the lengths the USSR went to try and destabilize us as well].

It’s not what someone has done to you, it’s what you do for yourself.

Look at S Korea, Taiwan, etc. they were very much poorer than Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, etc. They had little in way of natural resources, but with grit and determination they overcame despite being occupied and decimated by imperial Japan, they helped themselves. They didn’t have the best governments initially, yet they have done very very well. It’s not about who invaded you or had you as a vassal state, etc., it’s what you do for yourself that really matters. Singapore is another.

"we haven't touched argentina". that is not true at all.

Compared to others on the list who have overcome? Taiwan, Singapore, S Korea, Qatr (looking at you VZ), Panama, Chile. At some point they have to realize they need to help themselves and forge a future.

Yes, what a fine time the population had under Pinochet

The point countering the parent comment is that the country didn't fall apart. Since it is not an inevitable outcome, the US shouldn't get all the blame. European and Asian countries also suffered heinous acts of subjugation and total war but they do not have an inevitable permanent incapability as a result.

Concerning Pinochet - despite his many abuses, in a pragmatic sense he did improve the country's stability relative to the actions of other South American leaders, and stopped a popular slide into socialism by showing that free markets can also create prosperity. Note that his successors kept most of his economic policies intact due to their efficacy and popularity.