South america is synonymous of Poverty or Future?

well, believe or not, and I only can explain this cause I've been there.... Argentina was the richest country of South America. Home of the good meat and wine. (Export to the world) but bad administration put this country down to the floor.... NICE people, GOOD food, BEAUTIFUL weather and LOTS of things to see (Iguazu falls, lake Peritomoreno, etc)