The Greek crisis: a cautionary tale from Argentina

Policymakers in Europe seem to be surprised at the ongoing bank run in Greece (and the nascent run in Spain). They should not be.

Spanish oil company Repsol to stop drilling in Cuba

Spanish company Repsol has said it is pulling out of Cuba after failing in a recent attempt to find oil off the island. Chairman Antonio Brufau told journalists and investors that Repsol "won't do another" well in Cuba.

Mexico Oil Hedging Costs Rose 44 Percent Last Year

Mexico, the third-largest supplier of oil to the U.S., paid $1.17 billion last year to lock in prices for 2012 exports at $85 a barrel, a 44 percent increase compared to hedging costs paid the previous year.

EU refers Argentina's import restrictions to the WTO

The European Union has filed a suit against Argentina's import restrictions at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Mexico's PRI eyes jump-start to reforms if victorious-aide

(Reuters) - Mexico's main opposition faction hopes to secure support for energy, fiscal and labor market reforms by December if its candidate who is well ahead in the polls wins the presidency, a senior official in the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) said on Wednesday.

Brazil stocks fall 3% as Greece fears accelerate

LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) — Brazilian stocks tumbled Wednesday, part of a global selloff in equities on heightened fears that an exit from the euro zone by Greece will result in costly damage for the key export region.

Mexico Peso Rises for Second Day as China Comment Supports Risk

Mexico’s peso rose after China’s government said it will focus on bolstering growth, fueling confidence in global expansion after the Latin American’s country’s policy makers boosted their economic forecasts.

Repsol: Exploratory oil well off Cuba comes up dry

HAVANA (AP) — An exploratory oil well off the northern coast of Cuba has proved a failure and will be capped and abandoned, Spanish company Repsol said Friday, a disappointment for a cash-strapped nation hoping for an economic lifeline.

Mexico's Ortiz says Greece exit could be worse than Lehman

(Reuters) - If Greece leaves the euro zone it could detonate a global financial crisis even worse than the 2008 credit crunch, dry up global trade financing and spur another U.S. recession, former Mexican central bank governor Guillermo Ortiz said on Friday.

Brazil 2012 Growth Recovering After Weak Start, Mantega Says

Brazil’s Finance Minister Guido Mantega said growth in the world’s sixth biggest economy is picking up after a “weak” first quarter, reducing the need for additional stimulus measures.

Chile Keeps Rate on Hold as Economy Resists Europe Contagion

Chile’s central bank kept its key interest rate unchanged for a fourth consecutive month as surging domestic demand and a deterioration in the global economy leave little scope to change monetary policy.

Venezuela: Economy grew 5.6 at start of 2012

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela's economy grew 5.6 percent during the first three months of the year, continuing expansion that began at the end of 2010, the country's planning minister said Thursday.

Cuba drags feet on foreign investment

HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba's reform plans to attract more overseas investment are off to a slow start as the government focuses more on regulating existing foreign joint ventures than encouraging new ones, businessmen and diplomats say.

Brazil's Central Bank Sees Interest Rate Cycle Moving Lower-Report

SAO PAULO – Brazil's central bank believes the entire cycle of interest rates can be brought lower because of a unique combination of domestic and global effects, the head of the institution said in an interview published in Sunday's edition of the O Estado de S. Paulo newspaper.

Argentina's renationalization of YPF: A push to manage oil on its own terms

As glitter rained down over 100,000 screaming fans in a Buenos Aires soccer stadium late last month, President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner trumpeted her government's takeover of Argentina's biggest oil company, YPF.

Eike Batista to Invest in Brazilian Music Festival

Eike Batista, the Brazilian billionaire who made a fortune in the oil, gas and mining industries, is making a move into the music business.

Ecuador Banks’ $1 Billion Fire Sale Cuts Assets’ Value

Ecuador’s push for banks to sell non- core businesses is creating a $1 billion asset glut as the nation’s biggest financial firms struggle to find buyers before a July deadline.

Brazil's secret fiscal weapon: the tax "lion"

BRASILIA (Reuters) - In Brazil, groups of armed agents fly around the country by helicopter, pounding on doors and instilling fear in the hearts of those who break the law.

Maybe you should ditch the Mexico ETF for just two of its stocks

Mexico's economy is growing at an estimated rate of 4.6% a year -- faster than just about any other Latin market you'll find a specialized ETF for.

Brazil Borrowing Costs To Decline Ahead - Deputy Finance Minister

BRASILIA -(Dow Jones)- Borrowing costs in Brazil will decline naturally in coming periods in the wake of recent government moves to lower interest rates in the country, Deputy Finance Minister Nelson Barbosa said Friday.

Mexico's Slim agrees to cut phone costs to skip fine

(Reuters) - Mexico's competition watchdog has ordered Carlos Slim to cut charges he levies on mobile phone competitors in exchange for dropping a record fine, exacting a small concession from the country's dominant telecoms mogul.

Why Colombia ETFs May Continue to Rise

Colombia, a country once known for its political instability, guerilla wars, high crime rate and drug trafficking has now turned into an investor hotspot in Latin America.

Bolivia Following Argentine Takeover Deepens Regional Divide

President Evo Morales’s seizure of Bolivia’s main electricity company, two weeks after Argentina took over its biggest oil producer, is reinforcing the divide between Latin American leaders that support private investment and those seeking more state control of their economies.

Brazil's gas find heralds a 'golden age'

RIO DE JANEIRO, May 1 (UPI) -- Brazil says natural gas finds on land herald a golden age of the energy resource and will likely reduce dependence on gas imports from Bolivia.

Analysis: Latin American trade barriers seen backfiring

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico (Reuters) - Import restrictions imposed by Argentina and Brazil may end up harming the very domestic industries they are trying to protect and also could affect other economies in Latin America.