America Quote by Stephen Kinzer
“The two largest oil-producing countries in Latin America, Mexico and Venezuela, sold petroleum to Nicaragua at concessional rates for several years beginning in 1980. The program was curtailed because Nicaragua could not make even reduced payments.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Overthrow: America's Century of Regime Change, 2005
Nicaragua's oil deal failed because the country couldn't afford even reduced payments, showing the limits of concessional aid.
In simple terms: Aid can fail if the recipient can't pay.
Key Takeaway
Ensure aid terms match the borrower’s capacity.
Themes
economics
politics
foreign aid
Latin America
development
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- government budgeting
- energy negotiations
- development planning
- international trade
Key Concepts
dependency
sovereignty
resource economics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can concessional aid be structured to avoid default?
- What alternatives exist for resource‑poor nations?
A Different Perspective
Aid may create dependency without sustainable repayment plans.
![“I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. [salutes]” quote by Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d2/bill-hicks-970_america_i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumor_655.jpg)
