In El Salvador, a glimmer of hope for a stronger economy

FORTUNE -- Twenty-one-year-old Cesar Canas flashes a winning smile as he pitches his latest business idea: a shrimp farm that recycles its liquids rather than drawing daily on El Salvador's limited water supply.

Cuba eases restrictions on loans to small businesses

The Cuban government has eased restrictions on loans to private borrowers in the latest measure aimed at boosting the island's troubled economy. Individuals and small businesses can now borrow smaller amounts and have more time to pay back the government.

Brazil's economy shrinks for first time since 2009

SAO PAULO, Dec 3 (Reuters) - Brazil's economy contracted in the third quarter for the first time since early 2009, falling short of expectations yet again as plunging investment underscored eroding confidence in what was recently one of the world's most promising emerging markets.

Investor Insight: Can President Maduro Right Venezuela's Economy?

A former bus driver once responsible for navigating Venezuela’s complex web of roads, the country’s current president, Nicolas Maduro, now faces the more difficult task of steering the country’s economy.

Mexico central bank cuts 2013, 2014 growth outlook

MEXICO CITY, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Mexico's central bank on Wednesday cut its growth outlook for this year and next after a sharp economic slowdown but reaffirmed its view that no more rate cuts are advisable because it eyes a rebound.

Brazil's early highway infrastructure push suffers setback

BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil's early attempt at a badly needed expansion of its highway infrastructure sustained a serious setback on Friday when the government said one of two road concessions up for auction next week got no bids from investors.

Insight: The big money bails on Argentina - again

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - More than a decade after Argentina's epic financial collapse of 2001-02, many investors are rushing for the door once again.

Insight: Brazil's leftist president fights to win back business

BRASILIA (Reuters) - The conversations with Brazil's top business leaders often last two hours, and up to four. President Dilma Rousseff asks detailed questions but otherwise listens intently, staring back with an inscrutable frown that occasionally unnerves her guests.

Argentina Just Might Get Its Act Together

Argentina seems to be on a collision course of its own making. Inflation is soaring and investment is on the wane.

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.

Peru's SNMPE Sees Record Mining Investments in 2012

LIMA, Peru--Investments in Peru's mining sector are expected to reach a record-high this year despite delays to some large-scale projects, the National Mining, Oil and Energy Society, or SNMPE, said Wednesday.

Peru's Humala says to boost social spending to avert conflicts

LIMA (Reuters) - President Ollanta Humala vowed on Saturday to ramp up social spending for the poor as he tries to spread the benefits of an economic boom to all Peruvians and defuse conflicts over mining that have marred his term.