What is the poorest country in Central and South America and why? (please state reference, if you have it)?

Haiti

Check out the world cia factbook.

It is not Cuba.

I would go for Hati. I think Guatamala or Uraguay is the poorest of south America.

Do you consider the Caribbean to be part of Central America? If so, the poorest country of Central America is Haiti with a GDP per capita PPP of 1,892 US$. If not, the poorest one is Honduras with a GDP per capita PPP of 2,876 US$. In South America the poorest one is Bolivia with a GDP per capita PPP of 2,720 US$.

PPP= Purchasing Power Parity.