“Here in Ecuador,” he continued. “We have more corruption than we have money. That’s the truth and that’s why life is so expensive for the rest of us, those of us without brothers in the government.” After so many years of injustice, faith can sometimes feel like a foreign language in Latin America. GSDM Latin America Editor Diego Cupolo's travel diary.

By Adil Khan

Colombia has made great strides to transform itself into a cultural and tourism hub, which may encourage further investment and economic progress. Colombia's tourism industry is expanding and could yet prove to be pivotal in the country’s economic diversification and future development.

By Diego Cupolo

Today, as Cajamarca remains one of the poorest regions in Peru even after 20 years of gold extraction, Seifert poses the question: If Europe can modernize its mining techniques and limit environmental degradation, why can’t Peru? “When the strategy and tactics are unclear, little can be achieved by social movements. Newmont defends private investment and the people defend their water. Up until now, there has been no bridge of understanding between the two.”

When I make it back into the swirling cacophony of the street, I can’t help but think that this initiative is truly saving lives.