The Financial Express reports a paradox that despite the protest votes that have led to the formation of election wins for left leaning governments in Latin America the region is experiencing an economic boom.

In 2005 the region grew at 4.3%, its third consecutive year of growth, unemployment fell from 10.3% in 2004 to 9.3, and the poverty rate from 44% in 2002 to 40.6%. Thanks to the uptrend in commodity prices (with oil at U$70 dollars a barrel, and copper approaching U$3 a pound), exports are thriving and the region is the one to have benefited the most from the current business cycle.

Read More about economic conditions in Latin America at the Financial Express