Venezuela's Economy Grew 5.5% in 2012 -Central Bank

CARACAS--Venezuela's economy grew 5.5% in 2012, spurred by a sweeping government initiative to address a housing shortfall of 2.7 million homes in the South American country, according to preliminary data released by the central bank Thursday.

Paraguay Looking to Emulate Bolivia With First Dollar Bond Sale

Paraguay, the only Latin American economy set to contract this year, plans to issue the first dollar bonds in its two-century history in the first quarter of 2013 to tap booming global demand for higher yielding debt.

Mexico finds some US allies in trade dispute

As tomato growers in Florida and some other states fight a 16-year-old agreement that they contend allows farmers in Mexico to export tomatoes at a price below their costs, the Mexican farmers are finding allies in the United States.

Colombian CPI Debt Deflated by Most-Effective Bank: Andes Credit

Colombia’s fixed-rate peso bonds have returned three times as much as debt linked to consumer prices this year, after inflation defied economists’ forecasts and fell to a two-year low.

Brazil November Unemployment Rate At 4.9% Vs 5.3% In October - IBGE

RIO DE JANEIRO--Brazil's unemployment rate fell dramatically in November as labor markets in Latin America's largest economy remained tight, pushing local wages to the highest level recorded under the government's current survey.

Colombia Cuts Rate to 4.25% to Lift Slowest Andean Growth

Colombia’s central bank cut interest rates for a second consecutive meeting today, as policy makers try to revive the slowest economic growth in the Andean region.

Mexico’s new government: Coming out swinging

HE ONLY took office on December 1st, but Mexico’s new president is setting a furious pace. Having laid out sweeping changes to education and set up a new anti-corruption commission, Enrique Peña Nieto went on to unveil potentially far-reaching reforms of public security.

Argentine Forecast Gap Keeps Wheat Market Guessing

The global wheat market has the least clarity in five years on South America’s biggest crop as Argentine growers hit by adverse weather say the government is exaggerating harvest estimates to contain price increases.

Brazil aviation faces turbulence after rapid ascent

SAO PAULO: After a decade of soaring growth as millions of Brazilians flew for the first time, Brazil's aviation industry has come back down to earth with a thud.

Colombian lawmakers approve controversial tax reform

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia's Congress gave the green light on Wednesday to a controversial bill that aims to streamline the country's complicated tax system but at the cost of reducing government tax receipts going forward.

Colombian Peso Bonds Rise as Tax Cut Advances; Peso Appreciates

Colombia’s peso bonds rose, pushing yields down the most in a week, as the Lower House approved a proposal to cut taxes on foreigners’ bond profits to 14 percent.

Chavez's cancer may put Venezuela devaluation on hold

CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's battle with cancer and the possibility of a new presidential election look likely to delay key economic policy decisions including a sharp currency devaluation needed to shore up public finances.

Argentina's 12-Month Inflation Accelerates to +10.6% In November

BUENOS AIRES--Argentina's government said Friday that annual inflation as measured by its consumer price index accelerated to 10.6% in November, less than half the rate forecast by most private sector economists.

Brazil leader's popularity hits high despite stalled economy

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff's approval rating is at an all-time high, despite a stalled economy and political scandals that have tarnished the reputation of her ruling Workers' Party, an opinion poll published on Friday showed.

UN: Latin America to grow by 3.8 pct in 2013

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) -- Latin America and the Caribbean will see strong economic growth in 2013 despite Europe's fiscal woes and a struggling U.S. economy, the UN's regional economic body said on Tuesday.

Brazil's Tombini: Stable Rates to Support Recovery, Low Inflation

BRASILIA--The maintenance of Brazil's interest rates for a prolonged period of time will be sufficient to support a gradual recovery of the economy and keep inflation on target, Brazil's central bank president Alexandre Tombini said Tuesday.

Chavez Names Loyalist Heir as Venezuela Eyes Succession

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez named a longtime ally with close ties to Cuba his heir apparent as the cancer-stricken leader prepares for a potential departure after almost 14 years in power.

Colombia mining boom slows

Mining in Colombia has 'lost competitiveness' and will not hit government targets for 2012, said the director of Colombia mining industry body Wednesday.

Analysis: Mexico's labor reform no panacea for denting the black market

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Juan Ramirez makes up to $42 a week selling candy, newspapers and other items from his street kiosk, but he's not interested in a new Mexican law that aims to bring millions of workers out of the country's informal economy.

Brazil's Rousseff: Economy to Grow More In 2013

BRASILIA--Brazil's economy is set to grow more in the coming quarter and the government doesn't need to make changes in its economic advisory team due to recent sluggish growth, Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff said Friday.

EU, U.S. step up WTO action in Argentina trade row

(Reuters) - The European Union and the United States stepped up their fight against Argentine trade practices on Thursday, formally requesting the World Trade Organization rule on whether the South American country's import restrictions are illegal.

Latin America: Region one of worst for corruption

Latin American economies may have weathered the global recession better than most, reduced poverty, and grown the middle class, but across most of the region corruption remains as entrenched as ever.

Argentina Default Swaps Traders Lose 81% as Risk Recedes

Traders who bought three-month protection against an Argentine default lost 81 percent of their money in the two days after a U.S. court delayed a ruling that could have blocked payments to bondholders.

Latin American Cargo Clients Shipping from Peru set to Increase as Another Strong Fiscal Year Approaches

Peru is a stable and strong economy that is grabbing international investing attention. Shipping from Peru are many natural resources that make it stable in fluctuating markets.

Brazil Economists Cut 2012, 2013 Economy Expansion View -Survey

SAO PAULO--Financial-market analysts and economists reduced their forecast for Brazil's economic expansion this year, for the third consecutive week, and also for 2013 as economic performance has been poor so far this year and due to weaker-than-expected results for the third quarter released last week, according to a weekly central-bank survey released Monday.

Analysis: Mexico's new president to reset drug war, push reforms

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexico's new president takes office on Saturday seeking to shift the focus away from a grisly drug war and onto economic reforms aimed at sparking fast growth and pulling the country out of the shadow of regional powerhouse Brazil.