<P> Internal divisions also resulted in internecine wars . For example, Gran Colombia proved too fragile and the South American nation collapsed within ten years . Because many of the political strongmen of this period (caudillos), who came to power were from the military, a strong authoritarian streak marked many of the new governments . There were countless revolts, coup d'états and inter-state wars, which never allowed Latin America to become united . This was exacerbated by the fact that Latin America is a land of various and very diverse cultures that do not identify with, nor have a sense of unity, with one another . </P> <P> The Spanish Empire in America was reduced to three Caribbean islands: Cuba and Puerto Rico . Santo Domingo was under Spanish rule for some years before definitive independence was achieved . After three independence wars in Cuba, the 1898 Spanish--American War ended Spanish colonial rule . </P> <P> Brazil achieved its independence peacefully in 1822, becoming a monarchy, the Empire of Brazil . It retained its territorial integrity following independence, as opposed to the fragmentation of Spanish America into separate republics . Brazil was an anomaly in Latin America as a large, successful and stable monarchy until 1889, when the monarchy was overthrown following the abolition of slavery, and República Velha ("Old Republic") was founded . </P> <P> The notion of closer Spanish American cooperation and unity was first put forward by the Liberator Simón Bolívar who, at the 1826 Congress of Panama, proposed the creation a league of American republics, with a common military, a mutual defense pact, and a supranational parliamentary assembly . This meeting was attended by representatives of Gran Colombia (comprising the modern - day nations of Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela), Peru, the United Provinces of Central America (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica), and Mexico . Nevertheless, the great distances and geographical barriers, not to mention the different national and regional interests, made union impossible . </P>

Who was responsible for liberating much of south america