They will allow you to educate your citizens, to create doctors, bankers, generals and the like. However, the intelligentsia demands higher pay and is less tolerant of a bad situation. An upset professor is more likely to research high-tech weaponry from the States than join the rebellion in the backwoods. The Romans had gladiators, fighting to the death in the coliseum. The Spanish have their bullfights.
Stadiums are large and expensive, but they can be very profitable as well.
And Futbol is great entertainment for your citizens. Everyone in the country will know the truth. Unless, that is, a few pesos change hands. Then, who knows. If you want to, the lumberjack is there for you.