Colombian Currency’s Wider Swings Fuels Intervention Bets

The biggest swings in four years for Colombia’s peso are fueling speculation that the nation’s central bank will follow the steps of Mexico and Peru in taking measures to ease volatility in the currency.

Venezuela wants an emergency OPEC meeting

Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro (R) and Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Petrobras Among Brazil Borrowers Most at Risk as Real Sinks

Petroleo Brasileiro SA, the state-controlled oil producer with $55 billion of overseas bonds, is among the Brazilian companies most at risk of seeing leverage ratios swell as the real posts the world’s biggest currency losses.

Why Latin America Is Feeling the Brunt of China’s Slowdown

In a move that shocked global financial markets, the People’s Bank of China allowed the yuan to depreciate nearly 2% against the U.S. dollar in mid-August, which has weakened demand for the commodities of Brazil, Argentina, Chile and other Latin American countries.

Everything Is Going Wrong in Ecuador

As emerging markets come unhinged around the world, few nations face tougher challenges than Ecuador, a dollarized oil producer in El Nino’s path, where street protests are flaring up alongside one of the planet’s most dangerous volcanoes.

Brazil Judge Seeks Probe Into Rousseff’s 2014 Campaign Funds

A Brazilian electoral court judge has requested a probe into President Dilma Rousseff’s 2014 campaign financing on signs it may have included money siphoned from state-owned oil company Petrobras.

BRAIN DRAIN: Some of Latin America's most capable minds are bolting

Several of Latin America’s key economies are sputtering. And now, partly because of these economic doldrums, countries in the region are losing some of their brightest and most capable minds.

Mexico Probe Finds No Favoritism by President, Top Minister

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and his finance minister were cleared of using their political influence to favor government contractors who sold them homes, according to a probe by the country’s public comptroller.

Peru economy beats expectations with 3.87 pct growth in June

LIMA, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Peru's economy grew by a faster-than-expected 3.87 percent in June from a year earlier, a strong uptick from May and one of the fastest monthly expansions of the past year, state statistics agency Inei said on Friday.

Latin America Airlines Plunge as Earnings Show Currency Weakness

Latin America’s largest airlines tumbled this week after carriers reported disappointing earnings that were hurt by lower demand and weaker currencies.

Colombia’s Peso Weakens to Record Low as Crude Oil Prices Tumble

Colombia’s peso dropped to a record low as prices tumbled for oil, the country’s biggest export, and after a central bank official said the currency selloff is justified.

Brazil’s Rousseff Says She’s Never Considered Resigning Her Post

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff said she has never considered stepping down even as her popularity sinks and her ruling coalition crumbles.

Mexican Billionaire Carlos Slim Is One of the Biggest Losers in the Gold Crash

Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim is becoming one of the biggest victims of the collapse in gold prices to a six-year low.

Three Things Argentina’s Bondholders Will Look for in Primaries

Argentina’s presidential primaries will offer the first clues about the outlook for ending a decade-long legal battle with creditors that has shut the country out of overseas bond markets.

Brazil inflation rate hits 12-year high

Inflation in Brazil has hit a 12-year high of 9.56%, official figures have shown.

Mexico Peso Falls for Third Day, Prompting Currency Intervention

The Mexican peso fell for a third straight day, headed toward its lowest close on record and prompting the central bank to sell $200 million in extraordinary foreign-exchange auctions to slow the currency’s slide.

Mexico's Pipeline Boom Fueled by Texas Drillers Moving Natural Gas

Never mind Mexico’s oil reform. These days, the action is in natural gas. Since last year, when new laws made it easier for foreign companies to export gas to Mexico, there’s been more than $10 billion of planned or completed pipeline investments announced by companies such as Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners LP.

Obama Charm Offensive Targets Venezuela After Iranians, Cubans

The Obama administration’s charm offensive with unfriendly states has rolled through Myanmar, Iran and Cuba. Next stop: Venezuela.

Puerto Rico nears default as debt restructuring beckons

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Puerto Rico on Friday made a payment on debt owed by its Government Development Bank, but the U.S. territory may still be short of the funds needed to pay all of its imminent obligations.

Venezuela occupies food warehouse of biggest private company

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela's largest food distributor on Thursday denounced the government occupation of a Caracas warehouse amid accusations that the company is hoarding goods.

Brazil Corruption Scandal Goes Nuclear as Police Probe Grows

Police extended Brazil’s biggest corruption investigation to executives of Latin America’s largest utility in another chapter of a scandal that has shaken the country’s political and business elites.

Puerto Rico Can Manage Debt, Hedge-Fund Backed Study Finds

A report released by a group of hedge funds that own $5.2 billion of Puerto Rico bonds said the island’s central government can pay what it owes, showing the resistance the commonwealth faces as it seeks to restructure its $72 billion of debt.

Mexico Meets its Elusive Inflation Target

After more than two decades trying, Mexico can finally declare victory over inflation. Annual inflation in Mexico eased to 2.76% in early July, its lowest level since 1970, when consumer prices began to be measured nationally.

Prosecutors Accuse Top Brazil Building Executives of Corruption

Federal prosecutors formally accused executives from Brazil’s top builders of participating in the country’s biggest corruption scandal in history.

Brazil Banks: Worst Is Yet to Come?

As Brazil’s currency weakens and the iShares MSCI Brazil Capped ETF (EWZ) falls another 3% today, heed the observations of the RBS credit team who think the worst is yet to come for Brazil’s economy.

Mexico's energy reform key topic atsummit in El Paso, Juárez

The Mexican energy reform will be the topic of special breakout session at the 2015 United States-Mexico Summit: A View from the Border next month in Juárez, officials said Friday.

Venezuela’s Inflation Nightmare Signals Default May Come Sooner

Venezuela is about to earn another ignominious distinction. Long home to the world’s highest inflation rate, the country now is set to become the site of the 57th hyperinflation event in modern recorded history, says Steve Hanke, professor of applied economics at Johns Hopkins University.

As Brazil Job Market Sours, A Coup Of Sorts Hits The Capital

This year just got a whole lot tougher for Brazil. Brazil’s job market is getting worse, as Friday’s data suggests.

Brazil’s Biggest Bank Now Forecasts Two-Year GDP Contraction

Itau Unibanco SA is now forecasting Brazil’s economy will contract for a second consecutive year as unemployment continues to rise and the government struggles to contain above-target inflation.

Corruption Seen Thwarting Attempt to Recapture Mexican Drug Lord

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto has failed to keep one pledge regarding Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman and experts familiar with the country’s drug war say a second vow is at risk: the cartel kingpin’s recapture.

Brazil Analysts Boost 2016 Benchmark Rate Call for Second Week

Brazil analysts raised their 2016 forecast for the benchmark Selic rate as the central bank vows to slow inflation to target by the end of next year.

Chile, Mexico ETFs to Capture the Growth in Consumer Spending

Money managers are starting to take an interest in Mexico and Chile as consumer spending picks up. Retail investors can also access the two markets through country-specific exchange traded funds.

Mexico’s Fox Says Next 3 Years Will Be Best of Pena Nieto’s Term

Former Mexican President Vicente Fox said the outlook for Latin America’s second-largest economy is picking up and that drug-related violence is easing.

EMERGING MARKETS-Brazil's real flirts with 3.2 per dollar on Greece worry

SAO PAULO, July 7 (Reuters) - Brazil's currency, the real, posted its biggest intraday loss against the dollar in six weeks on Tuesday as uncertainty over Greece's future in the euro zone sapped global demand for riskier assets.

Chile’s Growing Desert Is Closing In on the Country’s Capital

The world’s driest desert is expanding south and sitting in its path is Chile’s capital. Santiago, a city of 7 million people 1,000 kilometers (622 miles) from the Atacama desert, is experiencing its driest year since 1966.

Argentina's Fernandez celebrates Greece's 'No' to creditors

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - World markets may tremble at Sunday's decision by Greek voters to reject conditions of a rescue deal from creditors, but the leader of Argentina, which suffered a similar crisis more than a decade ago, boldly welcomed the referendum result.

Pope’s South American Homecoming to Spotlight Poor, Environment

Pope Francis will fly to South America on Sunday for a nine-day visit in which he is likely to focus on the poor and may challenge policies on oil and gas drilling.

Stuck in Brazil’s Shadow, Four Latin Nations Look for a Way Out

Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru are going to give it another go.

Mexico Peso Falls to Record Low Against Dollar on Greece Turmoil

Mexico’s peso fell to a record low, swept up in a global currency selloff fueled by Greece’s standoff with European authorities over a bailout.

Puerto Rico wants to be able to declare bankruptcy

Puerto Rico's governor has a message for Washington D.C: change the law, we want the right to declare bankruptcy. On the brink of default, Governor Alejandro García Padilla demanded that the U.S. government allow Puerto Rico, a commonwealth, access to chapter 9 bankruptcy.

Brazil ministers rebut new wave of campaign funding allegations

Two Brazilian ministers denied on Friday that there was anything illegal about campaign donations made in recent years by a businessman allegedly involved in massive corruption scandal at state-run oil company Petrobras.

Venezuela Enlists Russia, China on Bond Sale to Ease Cash Crunch

Venezuela is turning to friends in Russia and China to get its hands on desperately needed cash. With the state-owned oil producer effectively shut out of the bond market with yields exceeding 20 percent, the company has hired Moscow-based Gazprombank JSC to arrange the sale of as much as $1.6 billion of yuan-denominated notes.

Brazil Bank Stock Goes From Worst to First After Investors Bail

When Banco Santander SA offered to buy out minority investors in its Brazil unit last year, many saw it as a chance to ditch the country’s worst-performing bank stock. They should have held on.

Venezuela’s Maduro Faces His Biggest Test in December 6 Vote

Venezuela’s opposition is set to gain control of congress for the first time in 16 years in a Dec. 6 vote seen as the biggest test yet for the Socialist government of President Nicolas Maduro.

Brazil Billionaire Group CEOs Detained in Petrobras Scandal

Police arrested the CEOs of two of Latin America’s largest conglomerates in a stunning widening of a massive graft and corruption investigation at Brazil’s state-run oil company Petrobras.

Mexico central bankers see weak growth, little inflation risk-minutes

MEXICO CITY, June 18 (Reuters) - Most of Mexico's central bankers think that economic growth remains sluggish and see no signs a weak peso has fueled inflation, suggesting they could hold interest rates steady in the coming months.

Real Drops Amid Signs Brazil Faces Worst Recession in 25 Years

The real fell the most among major currencies as Brazil braced for its worst recession in 25 years after the central bank reported that the economy contracted more than forecast in April.

Defeated Ex-CFO Re-Emerges to Upend

Rodrigo Toro, Isagen’s former chief financial officer, isn’t going to watch his old company be sold off without a fight.

Brazil retail sales drop unexpectedly in April

SAO PAULO, June 16 (Reuters) - Retail sales in Brazil defied expectations of a rebound in April and fell for the third straight month as unemployment and inflation rose and consumer confidence languished near its lowest level in at least a decade.

Swap Market Supremacy Denied as Oil Collapse Derails Mexico Rise

A year ago, Mexico was a rising star poised to eclipse Chile as the safest bet in Latin American debt markets. It was not to be.

Why Mexico’s Bank Bonds Are Hot Even as Economic Growth Fizzles

As Mexico heads for its third straight year of disappointing growth, the top-performing industry in the bond market is the one that’s most intertwined with the economy: banks.hcp

Peru’s Lame-Duck President in Last-Ditch Move for Redemption

Peru’s President Ollanta Humala will ask Congress for special powers this week to tackle an economic slowdown as one of Latin America’s least popular politicians makes a last-ditch attempt to salvage his administration.

Brazil’s economy falters, but worse may be to come

The signs that Brazil’s economy is in trouble have been visible for a while now, but the worst could be still to come.

Ruling leaves massive debt for next Argentina government

Buenos Aires (AFP) - A new ruling by a US judge has increased the total Argentina owes holdout bondholders to $5.2 billion -- a massive responsibility that if upheld likely will fall to the next government, experts said.

Brazilian Real’s Volatility Declines as Petrobras Concern Eases

The Brazilian real’s swings between gains and losses eased this week as Petroleo Brasileiro SA’s return to overseas capital markets with a $2.5 billion sale of 100-year notes added to speculation that the worst is over for the state-controlled oil company.

Mexico Keeps Key Rate at Record Low 3% After Forecasts Cut

Mexico’s central bank kept borrowing costs unchanged at a record low for an eighth straight meeting after reducing its growth forecast for Latin America’s second-biggest economy.

Brazil’s Development Bank Moves to Open Books Amid Graft Scandal

Brazil’s state development bank took a step toward transparency amid criticism of lending to countries like Cuba, big campaign donors and contractors involved in a graft scandal.

Venezuela's currency isn't worth a penny

Its currency, the bolivar, is literally worth less than a penny.Just a month ago, $1 was worth 279 bolivars. That was already pretty dismal for Venezuela.

Brazil's economy kicks off rough year shrinking 0.2%

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - Brazil's economy, the world's seventh largest, contracted by 0.2 percent in the first quarter of 2015, the government said Friday, kicking off a rough year in which it is expected to continue shrinking.

Argentina Is Racking Up Debt Even Faster Than During Its 2001-2002 Crisis

One gets a strange sense of deja vu looking at Argentina accumulate debt even faster than in 2001, the year of its infamous default.

Chile Attracts as Much Foreign Direct Investment as Mexico

Chile bucked the trend in Latin America last year with an increase in foreign direct investment, attracting almost as much as Mexico, a country with seven times the population, according to the United Nations Latin American and Caribbean unit.

Brazil April Current Account Gap Wider Than Economists Forecast

Brazil’s current account deficit in April was wider than economists forecast, as a weaker real this year has failed to improve the trade balance.

Bolivar Plunges in Black Market as Venezuelans Stash Dollars

Venezuela’s largest bill of 100 bolivars is now worth less than a U.S. quarter to money-changers after a plunge in the currency’s black-market value.

Colombia Holds Key Rate at 4.5% as Inflation Surge Continues

Colombia kept borrowing costs unchanged for a ninth straight month after the central bank trimmed its growth forecast and inflation accelerated to the fastest pace since 2009.

Brazil’s Deeper Contraction Sinks Lenders as Petrobras Advances

Brazil’s disappointing jobs report added to speculation Latin America’s largest economy is heading to its deepest recession since 1990, sinking bank stocks.

Mexico Lowers 2015 Growth Forecast After Oil Production Decline

Mexico’s government cut its forecast for growth this year, two days after a similar reduction by the central bank, as the economy posted its biggest month-on-month decline in almost two years.

Concern Rousseff Faces Budget Opposition

Brazil’s real declined for a third straight day amid concern President Dilma Rousseff will face opposition as lawmakers prepare to vote on fiscal measures.

China to invest billions in Brazil's economy, Chinese premier says

BRASILIA — Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will push trade, finance and investment deals worth tens of billion of dollars on Tuesday to help Brazil upgrade its dilapidated infrastructure and boost a slumping economy.

Venezuela's Hyperinflation Is Working Out Very Well for Mastercard

Venezuela’s economic collapse is driving factories out of business, leaving store shelves barren and wiping out workers’ purchasing power.

Inflation in Brazil eases, but central bank efforts not enough -official

SAO PAULO, May 15 (Reuters) - Brazilian central bank director Luiz Awazu Pereira said on Friday that the outlook for inflation to converge to the center of the official target in 2016 has strengthened.

Chile and Peru Keep Rates at Their Lowest Level in Four Years

Chile and Peru kept borrowing costs unchanged as high inflation and currency pressure prevent their policy makers from doing more to support growth.

Venezuelan currency tanks; inflation seen near 100%

Venezuela's black market exchange rate weakened below a key level on Thursday, as the bolivar's decline steepened in the face of hyperinflation and a rapidly shrinking economy.

Brazil Real Leads Gains as Fed Outlook Overshadows Levy Setback

Brazil’s real led global currency gains as speculation the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates low overshadowed a setback in Finance Minister Joaquim Levy’s efforts to cut spending.

Chile’s Cabinet Shifts Luring ETF Investors to Discounted Stocks

Chile has been luring investors scouring for cheap Latin American stocks over the past month. Now, a new finance minister with Wall Street credentials is giving another reason for buyers to double down on their bets.

Europe, Mexico to seek new trade pact to deepen North American ties

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union and Mexico will launch negotiations towards a new free-trade agreement later this year, as Europe seeks to tie its economy closer to North America following a deal with Canada and efforts to sign an accord with the United States.

Is Argentina's economy pulling a tango turnaround?

Its economy is projected to show little or negative growth this year. Argentina is still indebted to American hedge funds, affectionately known as "vultures" in the country. And it remains the poster child of nations that default on their loans.

Mexico’s CFE Sees Infrastructure Spending Near $16.6 Billion

Comision Federal de Electricidad, Mexico’s state-owned power company, expects $16.6 billion will be spent on infrastructure including pipelines and power projects in the coming years as the nation opens to outside investment.

Haiti President Sees No End for Venezuela Oil Aid Even Amid Drop

Haiti’s President Michel Martelly said he sees no sign Venezuela’s shipments of subsidized oil to Caribbean and Central American nations will end, and that his country would be the last to see the aid curbed in the case of cutbacks.

Chile's president trying Cabinet reshuffle in attempt to salvage ambitious reform plans

SANTIAGO, Chile – In shaking up her entire Cabinet, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet is trying to salvage an ambitious reform package amid growing scandals and contain a political crisis.

Brazil Central Bank Not Done Hiking Rates

Brazil’s interest rates are going higher and here’s why: 8.13% inflation. The April meeting minutes from the Central Bank of Brazil’s monetary policy committee’s recent 50 bps hike came out on Thursday and it is more hawkish than the market hoped.

Brazil readies a steep interest rate rise to salvage credibility

BRASILIA, April 29 (Reuters) - Brazil is poised to deliver another big interest rate increase on Wednesday as the government tries to convince investors it is committed to taming high inflation, despite the risk of recession.

Pena Nieto Gets Boost From Mexico Central Bank After Budget Cuts

The Mexican government will receive 31.4 billion pesos ($2.1 billion) in special revenue from the central bank, allowing a spending boost as falling oil prices prompt budget cuts.

Colombia Holds Benchmark Rate at 4.5% Amid Inflation Surge

Colombia’s central bank kept borrowing costs unchanged for an eighth straight month as consumer prices rise at the fastest pace in six years while the nation’s growth prospects dim.

Argentina is gloating in front of its hedge fund enemies

The Argentine government on Tuesday held a bond offering — something it really hasn't had an opportunity to do much since its 2001 default.

Mexico Prices Fall More Than Forecast as Electricity Tumbles

Mexico consumer prices fell more than expected in the first half of April, as the government phased in electricity discounts and a weak economic recovery limited inflationary pressures.

Latin America to Canada Bet on Good-Neighbor Policy From Fed

Central bankers from Canada to Colombia are betting the U.S. Federal Reserve will prove a good neighbor to their economies and financial markets when it raises interest rates for the first time since 2006.

Brazil Mid-April Inflation Slows Less Than Analysts Forecast

Brazil’s inflation in the month through mid-April slowed less than economists estimated, increasing economists’ expectations that the central bank will continue its pace of rate increases.

Argentina raises 4.7 bln pesos in local debt sale

BUENOS AIRES, April 16 (Reuters) - Argentina on Thursday raised 4.713 billion ($531.5 million) pesos in a sale of 12-month and 18-month local, peso-denominated debt, the economy ministry said.

Peru economy grew 0.94 pct in February - government

LIMA, April 15 (Reuters) - Peru's economy expanded narrowly in February, growing 0.94 percent from the same month a year ago, missing market expectations as construction and mining activity dropped, the government said on Wednesday.

IMF sees Brazil recession in 2015, weighing down region

Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - Brazil's economy will contract by one percent this year, weighing down Latin America as the region struggles to rekindle growth despite low commodity prices, the IMF said Tuesday.

Brazil, Colombia Are Citi’s Picks Among LatAm Currency

The potential for any delay in interest rate increases in the U.S. has been good news for emerging markets, and this could help Latin American currencies extend recent gains, write Citigroup’s Kenneth Lam and Dirk Willer.

Mexico cenbank eyes weak growth, rates likely on hold-minutes

MEXICO CITY, April 9 (Reuters) - Most of Mexico's central bankers are eyeing slack in the economy that could keep them from quickly raising interest rates and only one policymaker is calling to raise borrowing costs ahead of the United States.

IMF sees Brazil economy shrinking, growth hinging on austerity

GOIANIA, Brazil (Reuters) - The Brazilian economy will likely shrink this year, but the South American country could return to growth in 2016 if it succeeds in boosting investor confidence with its austerity drive, the International Monetary Fund said on Friday.

Chile economy continues recovery, inflation slow to cool

SANTIAGO, April 6 (Reuters) - Chile's economic growth continued to show signs of recovery from a five-year low in 2014, while some of the central bank's board members pointed out on Monday that stubbornly high inflation was taking longer than initially anticipated to cool.

Will Mexico's Economy Bounce Back In 2015?

According to Mexico’s latest Indicador Global de la Actividad Económica report the country’s economy expanded by 2.6% in year-on-year terms in January.

Argentina puts heat on Citibank after Paul Singer deal

Argentina isn’t going to let Citibank get off scot free after striking a deal with billionaire hedgie Paul Singer.

Venezuela Looks to Hugo Chavez Oil Belt to Fix Sick Economy

You can't miss it, rising off the main highway, a mountain of toxic soot towering over the flat, sunbaked scrubland of eastern Venezuela.