The CIA had a hand in crippling a number of nations. The CIA would send someone to persuade the nation's top elites to take a billion dollar loan from the U.S. so they could build lavish infrastructure for themselves. In return, they'd be indebted to the U.S. for pretty much ever, meaning the U.S. controlled them. If the president/top elites refused, the CIA would send "Jackals" to assassinate or coup them. Then rinse and repeat for the new elites.