Political Dialogue in South America

Integration attempts in South America are not new. The idea of creating a united region stems from the early nineteenth century during the battles for independence from Spain. However, economic, political and social differences made it impossible to realize the dream of freedom fighter Simon Bolívar, the independence hero of northern South America, who aspired to achieve an alliance among Hispano American countries. These ideas lived on throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth century although the countries were never able to reach an agreement, partly due to territorial disputes.