Crossword Genius

Could, given no other choice, some people in Central America rise? (3,2,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

may as well

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'people in central america rise?' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I cannot tell whether this works.

'could given no other choice some' is the wordplay.
'could' becomes 'may' (I've seen this before).
'given' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'no other choice' becomes 'swell' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'some' becomes 'a'.
'swell' after 'a' is 'aswell'.
'may'+'aswell'='MAY AS WELL'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for may as well that I've seen before include "No reason not to" , "for the whole of spring?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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