Mexican Senate approves plan to increase sales tax in border cities like Juarez

El Paso, TX (KTSM) — El Paso's economy might soon get a boost thanks to a decision made by the Mexican government.

Brazil Economists Forecast Steeper Economic Slowdown Next Year

Brazil economists cut their 2014 economic growth forecast to the lowest all year, as inflation pressured by a weaker real saps purchasing power in the world’s second-biggest emerging market.

Mexican Maquiladora Industry Cry Foul on New Taxes

Industry groups say President Enrique Pena Nieto's proposed tax overhaul, expected to pass the Senate late Tuesday or early Wednesday, could strangle one of Mexico's economic success stories, the border factories known as maquiladoras.

Latin America, Caribbean economies growing

Latin American economies are well placed to once more sustain relatively high growth rates and manage risks that could once again send their economies plummeting, said the director of the International Monetary Fund’s Western Hemisphere division.

Argentina's ailing president faces tough midterm congressional election

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentine President Cristina Fernandez is expected to lose some of her congressional clout in Sunday's midterm election as the ailing leader faces complaints over galloping inflation and a weakening currency.

Mexican manufacturing exports dip in September

MEXICO CITY, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Mexican factory exports fell in September in a sign of slack U.S. demand while the pace of consumer imports picked up as Latin America's No. 2 economy struggles to gain speed after a weak first half this year.

Brazil needs reforms, policy predictability to grow faster - IMF

BRASILIA, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Brazil must take more decisive action to raise productivity and boost private investment if it is to restore robust growth to its once-booming economy, the International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday.

Cuba to scrap two-currency system in latest reform

Cuba is to scrap its two-currency system in the latest financial reform rolled out by President Raul Castro, official media report.

Brazil Oil Block Goes to Shell, Total, China Firms

A consortium including Shell, Total, two Chinese firms and Brazil's state-run petroleum company Petrobras won the right to develop an offshore field that could hold up to 12 billion barrels of oil, Brazil's government said Monday.

EMERGING MARKETS-Most Latam currencies down on U.S. data fears

RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct 21 (Reuters) - Most Latin American currencies weakened on Monday as investors grew anxious before the release of key U.S. unemployment data delayed by a 16-day partial government shutdown this month.

Argentina Settles $677 Million Arbitration Cases With Bonds

Argentina agreed to compensate five companies that won rulings over investment disputes as the nation looks for the World Bank to approve $3 billion in loans, sparking the biggest bond rally in emerging markets.

Rajoy Meets Latin America Leaders as Economy Shows Signs of Life

Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy meets with Latin American leaders today in Panama, where Madrid-based companies are helping expand the canal and build the nation’s first subway as construction slumps at home.

Mexico peso rally could spur bigger interest rate cut

MEXICO CITY, Oct 17 (Reuters) - Mexico's central bank could lower borrowing costs by more than expected next week if the country's currency keeps gaining ground and undercuts the stimulus policymakers delivered to a weak economy with last month's cut.

Brazil retail sales surprisingly strong again in August

SAO PAULO, Oct 15 (Reuters) - Brazilian retail sales jumped unexpectedly again in August, as robust household spending helped carry Latin America's biggest economy through a rough third quarter.

Mexico Peso Falls as U.S. Debt Stalemate Stokes Growth Concern

Mexico’s peso fell for the first time in four days as speculation that U.S. lawmakers will miss a deadline to raise the nation’s debt limit rekindled concern that economic growth will slow in the country’s top export market.

Power-hungry Argentina mulls allowing crude oil imports: report

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Argentina is studying authorizing crude imports from Nigeria to help counter a long decline in oil and natural gas output that has hurt its trade balance, two newspapers reported on Saturday, both citing an anonymous source with knowledge of the matter.

S&P to Brazil: Actions speak louder than words

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Brazilian government's more business-friendly tone needs to materialize into actions for Standard & Poor's to reconsider its negative outlook on Latin America's largest economy, a senior credit analyst for the agency told Reuters on Friday.

Argentina seeks settlements, dollars at World Bank

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -- Argentina is promising to make good on $500 million in World Bank arbitration court rulings with a mix of new bonds instead of cash, and it's counting on getting billions of dollars in new loans in return.

Brazil Swap Rates Rise Before Central Bank Decision; Real Gains

Brazil’s swap rates climbed for the first time in a week as traders stepped up bets that the central bank will sustain the pace of increases in borrowing costs at a policy meeting today.

Mexico urges U.S. to reach deal on raising debt ceiling

MEXICO CITY, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Mexico's finance minister urged the United States on Tuesday to reach an agreement on raising its debt ceiling, saying a failure to do so could seriously damage financial markets and the global economy.

IMF cuts Latin America GDP forecast as Brazil, Mexico falter

RIO DE JANEIRO — The International Monetary Fund reduced its growth forecast for Latin America and the Caribbean as weaker commodity prices threaten to further sap strength from the region's two biggest economies.

Argentina Rejected by U.S. Court in Bond Payment Appeal

The U.S. Supreme Court left intact a ruling that may force Argentina to make payments on defaulted government bonds, rejecting that country’s appeal in a clash that has roiled its financial markets.

Brazil opposition leaders join forces against Rousseff

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Two of Brazil's most popular opposition leaders joined forces on Saturday in an unexpected alliance that shakes up next year's election and could pose a major challenge to President Dilma Rousseff at a time when the economy is sputtering.

Brazil Real Drops From Two-Week High as Moody’s Lowers Outlook

Brazil’s real declined from its highest level in two weeks after Moody’s Investors Service cited rising debt and weak growth in lowering its outlook on the nation’s credit rating to stable from positive.

U.S. defends diplomats expelled from Venezuela

CARACAS (Reuters) - The U.S. Embassy in Venezuela on Tuesday defended three diplomats expelled by President Nicolas Maduro, rejecting charges they were involved in espionage and accusations Washington is trying to destabilize the OPEC nation.

Brazil services sector rebounds in September -PM

SAO PAULO, Oct 3 (Reuters) - Activity in Brazil's service sector rebounded in September, a closely watched business survey showed on Thursday, further evidence that Brazil's economy may have avoided a contraction in the third quarter.

Maersk bullish on Latin America, eyes Mexico's deep water oil

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Danish oil and shipping group A.P. Moller-Maersk sees big investment potential in Latin America, including deep water oil projects and ports in Mexico, its chief executive said on Tuesday.

Chile Central Bank Signals Possible Rate Cuts Before Year-End

Chilean central bank President Rodrigo Vergara said policy makers don’t have to wait for a slowdown in consumer spending before cutting rates, a day after a report showed retail sales soaring.

Latin America most vulnerable to higher U.S. rates-IMF

WASHINGTON, Sept 30 (Reuters) - Latin America is likely to suffer most if U.S. interest rates rise more quickly than economic conditions merit, the International Monetary Fund said on Monday.