What Trudeau’s win could mean for Canada’s Latin America mining empire

Canada has for years grown its mighty mining empire in Latin America while largely ignoring global complaints of rampant violence, kidnapping, extortion and environmental damage at its lucrative gold, copper and coal mines. The harsh conditions have prompted rebukes from the United Nations, among other international organizations, which has slammed Canada for threatening indigenous people and economic development in nations including Guatemala, Peru, Mexico and Argentina.

Adolfo Ich was killed because he didn’t want Canadian mining companies to exploit his indigenous village in Guatemala, his wife claims. The school teacher and father of five children was reportedly shot in 2009 while protesting outside a mine owned by Canadian mining giant HudBay Minerals. “The days since my husband was killed have been very…