Hobbled by foreign interventions, political instability, and natural disasters, the former French colony is paralyzed by multiple crises.

Three decades after its founding, Latin America’s largest trade bloc continues to deal with internal divisions, including over a stalled trade deal with the European Union. New leadership in Argentina and Brazil could shake things up.

With the United Kingdom moving forward with Brexit, London hopes its Commonwealth partners can help boost trade, but critics say the group is outmoded and ineffective.