Latin America's New Credit Frontier

MEXICO CITY-Latin American banks are experiencing a sharp rise in "payroll loans" that are repaid through deductions from workers' paychecks.

Chilean Economy Grew Faster-Than-Forecast 5.5% in November

Chile´s economy grew 5.5 percent in November from the year before, beating estimates made by analysts on gains in the service, mining and retail industries.

Colombia Dissenting Interest Rate Decision Signals Further Cuts

More than one of Colombia’s seven central bank board members voted for a bigger interest-rate cut than the majority agreed to last month, fueling speculation that further reductions are likely.The peso fell.

Brazil 2012 Trade Surplus Narrows to $19.44 Billion Vs $29.79 Billion in 2011

BRASILIA--Brazil registered a narrower trade surplus in 2012 as weak global economic growth reduced demand for the country's products abroad.

Chavez Cancer Imperils $7 Billion Caribbean Oil Funding: Energy

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez’s battle with cancer threatens $7 billion of subsidized oil exports that help prop up Cuba’s economy and contain inflation in Caribbean nations from Jamaica to the Bahamas.

Colombia's minimum wage rises 4% despite union objections

Colombians going to work in 2013 found themselves earning 4.02% more than last year – but trade unions are not happy.

Brazil proposes looser fiscal rules to spur growth

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - Brazil's government has proposed changes to a fiscal responsibility law that set the foundation for a decade of economic prosperity in Latin America's largest economy, two local newspapers said on Saturday.